Staples Mill Road Baptist Church

1Long ago, at many times andin many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,2butin these last dayshe has spoken to us byhis Son, whom he appointedthe heir of all things,through whom also he createdthe world.3He is the radiance of the glory of God andthe exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.After making purification for sins,he sat downat the right hand of the Majesty on high,4having become as much superior to angels as the namehe has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

14Yet it was kind of youto share[a]my trouble.15And you Philippians yourselves know thatin the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia,no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.17Not that I seek the gift, but I seekthe fruit that increases to your credit.[b]18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied,having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,a fragrant offering,a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.19And my Godwill supply every need of yoursaccording to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.20Toour God and Father beglory forever and ever. Amen. 21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.The brothers who are with me greet you.22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9What you have learned[a]and received and heard and seen in mepractice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.5Let your reasonableness[a]be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4Therefore, my brothers,[a]whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b]help these women, who have labored[c]side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a]from Jerusalem,14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17And he said to them,What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?And they stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?19And he said to them,What things?And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,23and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.25And he said to them,O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,29but they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.32They said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

23Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Jesus Pronounces Woes 24But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal 12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.16Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

3Finally, my brothers,[a]rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b]and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh4though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c]blameless.7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.20For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.21For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.22But you know Timothy's[a]proven worth, how as a son[b]with a father he has served with me in the gospel.23I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,24and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,26for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.27Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.29So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,30for he nearly died[c]for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Naaman Healed of Leprosy 5Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him theLordhad given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.[a]2Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife.3She said to her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.4So Naaman went in and told his lord, Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.5And the king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels[b]of gold, and ten changes of clothing.6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.7And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me. 8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house.10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.11But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of theLordhis God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.12Are not Abana[c]and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.13But his servants came near and said to him, My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, Wash, and be clean?14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Gehazi's Greed and Punishment 15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.16But he said, As theLordlives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it, but he refused.17Then Naaman said, If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but theLord.18In this matter may theLordpardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, theLordpardon your servant in this matter.19He said to him, Go in peace.

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyednot only in my presence, but now much more in my absencecontinue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.[a]Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a]6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b]7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c]being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a]6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b]7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c]being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit wasprovoked within him as he saw that the city wasfull of idols.17Sohe reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said,What does this babbler wish to say? Others said, He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinitiesbecausehe was preachingJesus and the resurrection.19And they took him and brought him tothe Areopagus, saying, May we know what thisnew teaching is that you are presenting?20For you bring somestrange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription:To the unknown god.What therefore you worshipas unknown, this I proclaim to you.24The God who made the world and everything in it, beingLord of heaven and earth,does not live in temples made by man,[c]25nor is he served by human hands,as though he needed anything, since he himselfgives to all mankindlife and breath and everything.26Andhe made from one man every nation of mankind to liveon all the face of the earth,having determined allotted periods andthe boundaries of their dwelling place,27that they should seek God,and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,28for In him we live and move and have our being;[d] as even some ofyour own poets have said, For we are indeed his offspring.[e] 29Being then God's offspring,we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.30The times of ignoranceGod overlooked, butnow hecommands all people everywhere to repent,31because he has fixeda day on whichhe will judge the worldin righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; andof this he has given assurance to allby raising him from the dead. 32Now when they heard ofthe resurrection of the dead,some mocked. But others said,We will hear you again about this.33So Paul went out from their midst.34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysiusthe Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

27Onlylet your manner of life beworthy[a]of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of youthat you are standing firm in one spirit, withone mindstriving side by side for the faith of the gospel,28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This isa clear sign to them of their destruction, butof your salvation, and that from God.29Forit has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but alsosuffer for his sake,30engaged in the sameconflict thatyou saw I had and now hear that I still have.

18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. To Live Is Christ Yes, and I will rejoice,19for I know thatthrough your prayers andthe help ofthe Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,20as it is my eager expectation and hopethat I will not be at all ashamed, but that with fullcourage now as always Christwill be honored in my body,whether by life or by death.21For to meto live is Christ, and to die is gain.22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire isto depart andbe with Christ, for that is far better.24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.25Convinced of this,I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for yourprogress andjoy in the faith,26so that in meyou may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

12I want you to know, brothers,[a]that what has happened to me has reallyserved to advance the gospel,13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[b]andto all the rest thatmy imprisonment is for Christ.14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more boldto speak the word[c]without fear. 15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.16The latter do it out of love,knowing that I am put here forthe defense of the gospel.17The former proclaim Christout of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

3I thank my Godin all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.6And I am sure of this, that he who begana good work in youwill bring it to completion atthe day of Jesus Christ.7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold youin my heart, for you are allpartakers with me of grace,[a]bothin my imprisonment and inthe defense and confirmation of the gospel.8ForGod is my witness,how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.9And it is my prayer thatyour love may abound more and more,with knowledge and all discernment,10so that you may approve what is excellent,and so be pure and blamelessfor the day of Christ,11filledwith the fruit of righteousness that comesthrough Jesus Christ,to the glory and praise of God.

1Paul and Timothy, servants[a]of Christ Jesus, To all thesaints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with theoverseers[b]anddeacons:[c] 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my Godin all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

1Paul and Timothy, servants[a]of Christ Jesus, To all thesaints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with theoverseers[b]anddeacons:[c] 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my Godin all my remembrance of you,4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

22TheLordspoke to Moses, saying,23Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thusyou shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24TheLordbless you andkeep you;25theLordmake his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;26theLordlift up his countenance[a]upon you and give you peace. 27So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.

14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewisepartook of the same things, thatthrough death he mightdestroythe one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,15and deliver all those whothrough fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but hehelps the offspring of Abraham.17Therefore he hadto be made like his brothers in every respect,so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priestin the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.18For because he himself has sufferedwhen tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

26In the sixth month the angelGabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee namedNazareth,27to a virgin betrothed[a]to a man whose name was Joseph,of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.28And he came to her and said, Greetings,O favored one,the Lord is with you![b]29Butshe was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.30And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, foryou have found favor with God.31And behold,you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, andyou shall call his name Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son ofthe Most High. And the Lord Godwill give to him the throne ofhis father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacobforever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 34And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin?[c] 35And the angel answered her,The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power ofthe Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d]will be calledholythe Son of God.36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with herwho was called barren.37Fornothing will be impossible with God.38And Mary said, Behold, I am the servant[e]of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. Andthe angel departed from her.

1A soft answer turns away wrath,buta harsh word stirs up anger.2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,butthe mouths of fools pour out folly.3The eyes of theLordare in every place,keeping watch on the evil and the good.4A gentle[a]tongue isa tree of life,butperverseness in it breaks the spirit.5A fooldespises his father's instruction,butwhoever heeds reproof is prudent.6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;not so the hearts of fools.[b]8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to theLord,butthe prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

1The plans of the heart belong to man,butthe answer of the tongue is from theLord.2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but theLordweighs the spirit.[a]3Commit your work to theLord,and your plans will be established.4TheLordhas made everything for its purpose,eventhe wicked for the day of trouble.5Everyone who is arrogant in heart isan abomination to theLord;be assured, he will not go unpunished.6Bysteadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,and bythe fear of theLordoneturns away from evil.7When a man's ways please theLord,he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.8Better is a little with righteousnessthan great revenues with injustice.9The heart of man plans his way,buttheLordestablishes his steps.10An oracle is on the lips of a king;his mouth does not sin in judgment.11A just balance and scales are theLord's;all the weights in the bag are his work.12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,forthe throne is established by righteousness.13Righteous lips are the delight of a king,and he loves him who speaks what is right.14A king's wrath is a messenger of death,and a wise man willappease it.15In the light of a king's face there is life,and hisfavor is likethe clouds that bring the spring rain.16How much better to get wisdom thangold!To get understanding is to be chosen rather thansilver.17The highway of the uprightturns aside from evil;whoever guards his way preserves his life.18Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poorthan todivide the spoil with the proud.20Whoever gives thought to the word[b]will discover good,and blessed is hewho trusts in theLord.21The wise of heart is called discerning,and sweetness of speechincreases persuasiveness.22Good sense isa fountain of life to him who has it,but the instruction of fools is folly.23The heart of the wise makes his speech judiciousand adds persuasiveness to his lips.24Gracious words are likea honeycomb,sweetness to the soul andhealth to the body.25There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death.[c]26A worker's appetite works for him;hismouth urges him on.27A worthless man plots evil,and his speech[d]is likea scorching fire.28A dishonest man spreads strife,anda whispererseparates close friends.29A man of violenceentices his neighborand leads him in a way that is not good.30Whoever winks his eyes plans[e]dishonest things;he whopurses his lips brings evil to pass.31Gray hair isa crown of glory;itis gained in a righteous life.32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.33The lot is cast into the lap,but its every decision isfrom theLord.

A wise son brings joy to his father,but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,but righteousness delivers from death. 3TheLorddoes not let the righteous go hungry,but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4Lazy hands make for poverty,but diligent hands bring wealth. 5He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. 6Blessings crown the head of the righteous,but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a] 7The name of the righteousis used in blessings,[b]but the name of the wickedwill rot. 8The wise in heart accept commands,but a chattering fool comes to ruin. 9Whoever walks in integritywalks securely,but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. 10Whoever winks maliciouslycauses grief,and a chattering fool comes to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up conflict,but love covers over all wrongs. 13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. 14The wise store up knowledge,but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,but poverty is the ruin of the poor. 16The wages of the righteous is life,but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

1My son, if you have put upsecurity for your neighbor,havegiven your pledge for a stranger,2if you aresnared in the words of your mouth,caught in the words of your mouth,3then do this, my son, and save yourself,for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:go, hasten,[a]andplead urgently with your neighbor.4Give your eyes no sleepand your eyelids no slumber;5save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,[b]like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6Go tothe ant, Osluggard;consider her ways, andbe wise.7Without having any chief,officer, or ruler,8she prepares her breadin summerandgathers her food in harvest.9How long will you lie there,O sluggard?When will you arise from your sleep?10A little sleep, a little slumber,a littlefolding of the hands to rest,11and poverty will come upon you like a robber,and want like an armed man. 12A worthless person, a wicked man,goes about withcrooked speech,13winks with his eyes, signals[c]with his feet,points with his finger,14withperverted heartdevises evil,continuallysowing discord;15therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;in a moment he will be brokenbeyond healing. 16There aresix things that theLordhates,seven that are an abomination to him:17haughty eyes,a lying tongue,andhands that shed innocent blood,18a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil,19a false witness whobreathes out lies,and one whosows discord among brothers.

1My son, if you have put upsecurity for your neighbor,havegiven your pledge for a stranger,2if you aresnared in the words of your mouth,caught in the words of your mouth,3then do this, my son, and save yourself,for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:go, hasten,[a]andplead urgently with your neighbor.4Give your eyes no sleepand your eyelids no slumber;5save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,[b]like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6Go tothe ant, Osluggard;consider her ways, andbe wise.7Without having any chief,officer, or ruler,8she prepares her breadin summerandgathers her food in harvest.9How long will you lie there,O sluggard?When will you arise from your sleep?10A little sleep, a little slumber,a littlefolding of the hands to rest,11and poverty will come upon you like a robber,and want like an armed man. 12A worthless person, a wicked man,goes about withcrooked speech,13winks with his eyes, signals[c]with his feet,points with his finger,14withperverted heartdevises evil,continuallysowing discord;15therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;in a moment he will be brokenbeyond healing. 16There aresix things that theLordhates,seven that are an abomination to him:17haughty eyes,a lying tongue,andhands that shed innocent blood,18a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil,19a false witness whobreathes out lies,and one whosows discord among brothers.

1My son, be attentive to my wisdom;incline your ear to my understanding,2that you may keepdiscretion,and your lips mayguard knowledge.3For the lips ofa forbidden[a]woman drip honey,and her speech[b]issmoother than oil,4but in the end she isbitter aswormwood,sharp asa two-edged sword.5Her feetgo down to death;her steps follow the path to[c]Sheol;6shedoes not ponder the path of life;her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7Andnow, O sons, listen to me,and do not depart from the words of my mouth.8Keep your way far from her,and do not go near the door of her house,9lest you give your honor to othersand your years to the merciless,10lest strangers take their fill of your strength,and yourlabors go to the house of a foreigner,11and at the end of your life yougroan,when your flesh and body are consumed,12and you say,How I hated discipline,and my heartdespised reproof!13I did not listen to the voice of my teachersor incline my ear to my instructors.14I am at the brink of utter ruinin the assembled congregation. 15Drinkwater from your own cistern,flowing water from your own well.16Should yoursprings be scattered abroad,streams of waterin the streets?17Let them be for yourself alone,and not for strangers with you.18Let yourfountain be blessed,andrejoice inthe wife of your youth,19a lovelydeer, a graceful doe.Let her breastsfill you at all times with delight;be intoxicated[d]always in her love.20Why should you be intoxicated, my son, witha forbidden womanand embrace the bosom ofan adulteress?[e]21Fora man's ways arebefore the eyes of theLord,and heponders[f]all his paths.22Theiniquities of the wickedensnare him,and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.23He dies for lack of discipline,and because of his great folly he isled astray.

20My son, be attentive to my words;incline your ear to my sayings.21Let them not escape from your sight;keep them within your heart.22For they arelife to those who find them,and healing to all their[a]flesh.23Keep your heart with all vigilance,forfrom it flowthe springs of life.24Put away from youcrooked speech,and putdevious talk far from you.25Let your eyes look directly forward,and your gaze be straight before you.26Ponder[b]the path of your feet;then all your ways will be sure.27Do not swerve to the right or to the left;turn your foot away from evil.

20My son, be attentive to my words;incline your ear to my sayings.21Let them not escape from your sight;keep them within your heart.22For they arelife to those who find them,and healing to all their[a]flesh.23Keep your heart with all vigilance,forfrom it flowthe springs of life.24Put away from youcrooked speech,and putdevious talk far from you.25Let your eyes look directly forward,and your gaze be straight before you.26Ponder[b]the path of your feet;then all your ways will be sure.27Do not swerve to the right or to the left;turn your foot away from evil.

13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,and the one who gets understanding,14for the gain from her is better than gain from silverand her profit better thangold.15She is more precious thanjewels,andnothing you desire can compare with her.16Long life is in her right hand;in her left hand areriches and honor.17Herways are ways of pleasantness,and all her paths are peace.18She isa tree of life to those wholay hold of her;those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19TheLordby wisdom founded the earth;by understandinghe established the heavens;20by his knowledgethe deeps broke open,andthe clouds drop down the dew. 21My son,do not lose sight of thesekeep sound wisdom and discretion,22and they will belife for your soulandadornment for your neck.23Then you will walk on your way securely,and your foot will not stumble.24If you lie down, you will not be afraid;when you lie down,your sleep will be sweet.25Do not be afraid of sudden terroror ofthe ruin[a]of the wicked, when it comes,26for theLordwill be your confidenceand willkeep your foot from being caught.27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[b]when it is in your power to do it. 28Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again,tomorrow I will give itwhen you have it with you.29Do not plan evil against your neighbor,whodwells trustingly beside you.30Do not contend with a man for no reason,when he has done you no harm.31Do not envya man of violenceand do not choose any of his ways,32forthe devious person is an abomination to theLord,but the upright arein his confidence.33TheLord's curse is on the house of the wicked,but heblesses the dwelling of the righteous.34Toward thescorners heis scornful,but to the humble he gives favor.[c]35The wise will inherit honor,but fools get[d]disgrace.

1My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments,2forlength of days and years of lifeandpeace they will add to you. 3Let notsteadfast love andfaithfulness forsake you;bind them around your neck;write them on the tablet of your heart.4So you willfind favor andgood success[a]in the sight of God and man. 5Trust in theLordwith all your heart,anddo not lean on your own understanding.6In all your waysacknowledge him,and hewill make straight your paths.7Be not wise in your own eyes;fear theLord, and turn away from evil.8It will behealing to your flesh[b]andrefreshment[c]to your bones. 9Honor theLordwith your wealthand withthe firstfruits of all your produce;10then yourbarns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11My son, do not despise theLord's disciplineor be weary of his reproof,12for theLordreproves him whom he loves,asa father the son in whom he delights.

11discretion willwatch over you,understanding will guard you,12delivering you from the way of evil,from men of perverted speech,13who forsake the paths of uprightnesstowalk in the ways of darkness,14whorejoice in doing evilanddelight in the perverseness of evil,15men whosepaths are crooked,and who aredevious in their ways. 16Soyou will be delivered from the forbidden[a]woman,fromthe adulteress[b]withher smooth words,17who forsakesthe companion of her youthand forgetsthe covenant of her God;18for her house sinks down to death,and her paths to the departed;[c]19none who go to her come back,nor do they regain the paths of life. 20So you will walk in the way of the goodand keep to the paths of the righteous.21For the uprightwill inhabit the land,and those with integrity will remain in it,22but the wicked will becut off from the land,and the treacherous will berooted out of it.

9And so,from the day we heard,we have not ceased to pray for you, asking thatyou may be filled with the knowledge of his will in allspiritual wisdom and understanding,10so asto walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,fully pleasing to him:bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;11being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, forall endurance and patiencewith joy;12giving thanks[a]to the Father, who has qualified you[b]to share inthe inheritance of the saints in light.13Hehas delivered us fromthe domain of darkness and transferred us tothe kingdom ofhis beloved Son,14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1My son,if you receive my wordsand treasure up my commandments with you,2making your ear attentive to wisdomand inclining your heart to understanding;3yes, if you call out for insightand raise your voicefor understanding,4if you seek it likesilverand search for it as forhidden treasures,5thenyou will understand the fear of theLordand find the knowledge of God.6FortheLordgives wisdom;from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;7he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;he isa shield to those whowalk in integrity,8guarding the paths of justiceandwatching over the way of hissaints.9Then you will understandrighteousness and justiceand equity, every good path;10for wisdom will come into your heart,and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;11discretion willwatch over you,understanding will guard you,12delivering you from the way of evil,from men of perverted speech,13who forsake the paths of uprightnesstowalk in the ways of darkness,14whorejoice in doing evilanddelight in the perverseness of evil,15men whosepaths are crooked,and who aredevious in their ways.

20Wisdom cries aloud in the street,in the markets she raises her voice;21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;atthe entrance of the city gates she speaks:22How long, Osimple ones, will you love being simple?How long willscoffers delight in their scoffingand foolshate knowledge?23If you turn at my reproof,[a]behold, I willpour out my spirit to you;I will make my words known to you.24Because I have called andyou refused to listen,havestretched out my hand and no one has heeded,25because you haveignored all my counselandwould have none of my reproof,26I alsowill laugh at your calamity;I will mock whenterror strikes you,27when terror strikes you likea stormand your calamity comes like a whirlwind,when distress and anguish come upon you.28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;they will seek me diligently but will not find me.29Because theyhated knowledgeanddid not choose the fear of theLord,30would have none of my counselanddespised all my reproof,31therefore they shall eatthe fruit of their way,and havetheir fill of their own devices.32For the simple are killed bytheir turning away,andthe complacency of fools destroys them;33butwhoever listens to me will dwell secureand will beat ease, without dread of disaster.

8Hear, my son, your father's instruction,and forsake not your mother's teaching,9for they area graceful garland for your headandpendants for your neck.10My son, if sinnersentice you,do not consent.11If they say, Come with us,let us lie in wait for blood;let us ambush the innocent without reason;12like Sheol let usswallow them alive,and whole, likethose who go down to the pit;13we shall find all precious goods,we shall fill our houses with plunder;14throw in your lot among us;we will all have one purse15my son,do not walk in the way with them;hold back your foot from their paths,16fortheir feet run to evil,and they make haste to shed blood.17For in vain is a net spreadin the sight of any bird,18but these menlie in wait for their own blood;theyset an ambush for their own lives.19Such are the ways of everyone who isgreedy for unjust gain;it takes away the life of its possessors.

1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2To know wisdom and instruction,to understand words of insight,3to receive instruction in wise dealing,inrighteousness, justice, and equity;4to give prudence tothe simple,knowledge anddiscretion to the youth5Let the wise hear andincrease in learning,and the one who understands obtain guidance,6to understand a proverb and a saying,the words of the wise and theirriddles. 7The fear of theLordis the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2To know wisdom and instruction,to understand words of insight,3to receive instruction in wise dealing,inrighteousness, justice, and equity;4to give prudence tothe simple,knowledge anddiscretion to the youth5Let the wise hear andincrease in learning,and the one who understands obtain guidance,6to understand a proverb and a saying,the words of the wise and theirriddles. 7The fear of theLordis the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction.

16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. Fornecessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted witha stewardship.18What then is my reward? That in my preachingI may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19Forthough I am free from all,I have made myself a servant to all, that I mightwin more of them.20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.21Tothose outside the law I becameas one outside the law (not being outside the law of God butunder the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.I have become all things to all people, thatby all means I might save some.23I do it all for the sake of the gospel,that I may share with them in its blessings.

16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. Fornecessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted witha stewardship.18What then is my reward? That in my preachingI may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19Forthough I am free from all,I have made myself a servant to all, that I mightwin more of them.20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.21Tothose outside the law I becameas one outside the law (not being outside the law of God butunder the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.I have become all things to all people, thatby all means I might save some.23I do it all for the sake of the gospel,that I may share with them in its blessings.

Romans 10:13-17 (ESV) 13Foreveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in himof whom they have never heard?[c]And how are they to hearwithout someone preaching?15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!16Butthey have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?17Sofaith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:13-17 (ESV) 13Foreveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in himof whom they have never heard?[c]And how are they to hearwithout someone preaching?15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!16Butthey have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?17Sofaith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

19Go therefore andmake disciples ofall nations,baptizing themin[a]the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching themto observe all thatI have commanded you. And behold,I am with you always, tothe end of the age.

19Go therefore andmake disciples ofall nations,baptizing themin[a]the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching themto observe all thatI have commanded you. And behold,I am with you always, tothe end of the age.

Selected Passages from 2 Samuel