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Send us a textSummary In this episode of Bookworthy, host Valerie talks with author Jennifer Blankley about her love for animals and how it influences her writing. Jennifer shares her journey from being a grief counselor to becoming an author, highlighting her latest book, 'More Proverbs for Kids.' The conversation explores the lessons animals teach us, the importance of storytelling, and how childhood experiences shape our passions. Jennifer also discusses her future projects, including a devotional based on the Psalms. Takeaways Jennifer's first pet was a grasshopper named Georgie.Animals play a significant role in Jennifer's writing.The book 'More Proverbs for Kids' combines animal stories with biblical lessons.Jennifer's writing journey began after meeting a blind horse.She aims to teach children wisdom through animal stories.The importance of listening to people's animal stories for inspiration.Jennifer's background in counseling influences her writing style.Animals can provide comfort and teach valuable life lessons.The impact of childhood reading on Jennifer's desire to write.Future projects include a devotional based on the Psalms.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Blankley and Her Passion for Animals02:13 The Journey to Becoming an Author04:57 The Concept Behind 'More Proverbs for Kids'07:06 Lessons Learned from Animals09:08 The Impact of Childhood Reading15:26 Sugar: A Special Connection with God21:15 Future Projects and Devotionals Home - Jennifer Bleakley Let's discover great books together!Follow for more:FB: @bookworthypodcastInstagram: @bookworthy_podcastYouTube: BookWorthy Podcast - YouTubetiktok: @valeriefentress
Old Testament: Isaiah 26–28 Isaiah 26–28 (Listen) You Keep Him in Perfect Peace 26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.6 The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.” 7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.10 If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the LORD.11 O LORD, your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed. Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.13 O LORD our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.14 They are dead, they will not live; they are shades, they will not arise; to that end you have visited them with destruction and wiped out all remembrance of them.15 But you have increased the nation, O LORD, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land. 16 O LORD, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.17 Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD;18 we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.21 For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain. The Redemption of Israel 27 In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. 2 In that day, “A pleasant vineyard,1 sing of it!3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;4 I have no wrath. Would that I had thorns and briers to battle! I would march against them, I would burn them up together.5 Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.” 6 In days to come2 Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. 7 Has he struck them as he struck those who struck them? Or have they been slain as their slayers were slain?8 Measure by measure,3 by exile you contended with them; he removed them with his fierce breath4 in the day of the east wind.9 Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin:5 when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or incense altars will remain standing.10 For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness; there the calf grazes; there it lies down and strips its branches.11 When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor. 12 In that day from the river Euphrates6 to the Brook of Egypt the LORD will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. 13 And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Judgment on Ephraim and Jerusalem 28 Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!2 Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot;4 and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig7 before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand. 5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory,8 and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people,6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. 7 These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by9 wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.8 For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. 9 “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” 11 For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people,12 to whom he has said, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose”; yet they would not hear.13 And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. A Cornerstone in Zion 14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid10 as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.'17 And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”18 Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it.19 As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.20 For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.21 For the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work!22 Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord GOD of hosts against the whole land. 23 Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.24 Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground?25 When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer11 as the border?26 For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. 27 Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.28 Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever;12 when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it.29 This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Footnotes [1] 27:2 Many Hebrew manuscripts A vineyard of wine [2] 27:6 Hebrew In those to come [3] 27:8 Or By driving her away; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [4] 27:8 Or wind [5] 27:9 Septuagint and this is the blessing when I take away his sin [6] 27:12 Hebrew from the River [7] 28:4 Or fruit [8] 28:5 The Hebrew words for glory and hosts sound alike [9] 28:7 Or confused by [10] 28:16 Dead Sea Scroll I am laying [11] 28:25 A type of wheat [12] 28:28 Or Grain is crushed for bread; he will surely thresh it, but not forever (ESV) New Testament: Hebrews 12:3–29 Hebrews 12:3–29 (Listen) Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly1 of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25
Proverbs 25:1–3 Proverbs 25:1–3 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) New Testament: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.' 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) New Testament: Titus 3:1–8 Titus 3:1–8 (Listen) Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 23:29–35 Proverbs 23:29–35 (Listen) 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.135 “They struck me,” you will say,2 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Footnotes [1] 23:34 Or of the rigging [2] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say (ESV)
Morning: Proverbs 25–27 Proverbs 25–27 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.27 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.610 Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.13 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.714 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp8 oil in one's right hand.17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.918 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.27 There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross [6] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel [7] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners [8] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with [9] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another (ESV) Evening: 2 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 6 (Listen) 6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you,1 Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. The Temple of the Living God 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?2 Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Footnotes [1] 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you [2] 6:15 Greek Beliar (ESV)
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
Psalms and Wisdom: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Deuteronomy 26 Deuteronomy 26 (Listen) Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes 26 “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.' 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror,1 with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. 12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.' 16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. 18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, 19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.” Footnotes [1] 26:8 Hebrew with great terror (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Micah 1–2 Micah 1–2 (Listen) 1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. The Coming Destruction 2 Hear, you peoples, all of you;1 pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.3 For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards, and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations.7 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste, for from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return. 8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches.9 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem. 10 Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all; in Beth-le-aphrah roll yourselves in the dust.11 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame; the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out; the lamentation of Beth-ezel shall take away from you its standing place.12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because disaster has come down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish; it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts2 to Moresheth-gath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.15 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Mareshah; the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.16 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair, for the children of your delight; make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile. Woe to the Oppressors 2 Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.3 Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster,3 from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster.4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.”5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD. 6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach— “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient?4 Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.59 The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses; from their young children you take away my splendor forever.10 Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction.11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
With family: Leviticus 10; Psalms 11–12 Leviticus 10 (Listen) The Death of Nadab and Abihu 10 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized1 fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'” And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.” 5 So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the LORD has kindled. 7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” 12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: “Take the grain offering that is left of the LORD's food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, from the LORD's food offerings, for so I am commanded. 14 But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons' due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. 15 The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be yours and your sons' with you as a due forever, as the LORD has commanded.” 16 Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.” 19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the LORD have approved?” 20 And when Moses heard that, he approved. Footnotes [1] 10:1 Or strange (ESV) Psalms 11–12 (Listen) The Lord Is in His Holy Temple To the choirmaster. Of David. 11 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”1 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. The Faithful Have Vanished To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith.2 A Psalm of David. 12 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us3 from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Footnotes [1] 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done? [2] 12:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [3] 12:7 Or guard him (ESV) In private: Proverbs 25; 1 Thessalonians 4 Proverbs 25 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Listen) A Life Pleasing to God 4 Finally, then, brothers,1 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:2 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body3 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,4 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Footnotes [1] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 [2] 4:3 Or your holiness [3] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel [4] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord (ESV)
Welcome to Day 2096 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 25 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2096 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2096 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 25. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 25 More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind! 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, 8 don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17 Don't...
Welcome to Day 2065 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 25 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2065 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2065 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 25. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 25 More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind! 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, 8 don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17 Don't visit your neighbors too often, or...
Welcome to Day 2034 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 25 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2034Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2034 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 25. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 25 More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind! 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, 8 don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17 Don't visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. 18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. 20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+25&version=NLT#fen-NLT-17110a (a)] 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you. 23 As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! 24 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. 25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. 26 If the godly give in to the wicked, it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. 27 It's not good to eat too much honey, and it's not good to seek honors for yourself. 28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Today, as you ponder...
Old Testament: Isaiah 26–28 Isaiah 26–28 (Listen) You Keep Him in Perfect Peace 26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.6 The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.” 7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.10 If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the LORD.11 O LORD, your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed. Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.13 O LORD our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.14 They are dead, they will not live; they are shades, they will not arise; to that end you have visited them with destruction and wiped out all remembrance of them.15 But you have increased the nation, O LORD, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land. 16 O LORD, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.17 Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD;18 we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.21 For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain. The Redemption of Israel 27 In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. 2 In that day, “A pleasant vineyard,1 sing of it!3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;4 I have no wrath. Would that I had thorns and briers to battle! I would march against them, I would burn them up together.5 Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.” 6 In days to come2 Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. 7 Has he struck them as he struck those who struck them? Or have they been slain as their slayers were slain?8 Measure by measure,3 by exile you contended with them; he removed them with his fierce breath4 in the day of the east wind.9 Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin:5 when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or incense altars will remain standing.10 For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness; there the calf grazes; there it lies down and strips its branches.11 When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor. 12 In that day from the river Euphrates6 to the Brook of Egypt the LORD will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. 13 And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Judgment on Ephraim and Jerusalem 28 Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!2 Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot;4 and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig7 before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand. 5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory,8 and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people,6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. 7 These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by9 wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.8 For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. 9 “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” 11 For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people,12 to whom he has said, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose”; yet they would not hear.13 And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. A Cornerstone in Zion 14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid10 as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.'17 And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”18 Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it.19 As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.20 For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.21 For the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work!22 Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord GOD of hosts against the whole land. 23 Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.24 Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground?25 When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer11 as the border?26 For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. 27 Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.28 Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever;12 when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it.29 This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Footnotes [1] 27:2 Many Hebrew manuscripts A vineyard of wine [2] 27:6 Hebrew In those to come [3] 27:8 Or By driving her away; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [4] 27:8 Or wind [5] 27:9 Septuagint and this is the blessing when I take away his sin [6] 27:12 Hebrew from the River [7] 28:4 Or fruit [8] 28:5 The Hebrew words for glory and hosts sound alike [9] 28:7 Or confused by [10] 28:16 Dead Sea Scroll I am laying [11] 28:25 A type of wheat [12] 28:28 Or Grain is crushed for bread; he will surely thresh it, but not forever (ESV) New Testament: Hebrews 12:3–29 Hebrews 12:3–29 (Listen) Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly1 of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25
Proverbs 25:1–3 Proverbs 25:1–3 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) New Testament: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.' 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) New Testament: Titus 3:1–8 Titus 3:1–8 (Listen) Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 23:29–35 Proverbs 23:29–35 (Listen) 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.135 “They struck me,” you will say,2 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Footnotes [1] 23:34 Or of the rigging [2] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say (ESV)
Morning: Proverbs 25–27 Proverbs 25–27 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.27 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.610 Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.13 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.714 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp8 oil in one's right hand.17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.918 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.27 There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross [6] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel [7] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners [8] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with [9] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another (ESV) Evening: 2 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 6 (Listen) 6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you,1 Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. The Temple of the Living God 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?2 Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Footnotes [1] 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you [2] 6:15 Greek Beliar (ESV)
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
Psalms and Wisdom: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Deuteronomy 26 Deuteronomy 26 (Listen) Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes 26 “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.' 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror,1 with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. 12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.' 16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. 18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, 19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.” Footnotes [1] 26:8 Hebrew with great terror (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Micah 1–2 Micah 1–2 (Listen) 1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. The Coming Destruction 2 Hear, you peoples, all of you;1 pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.3 For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards, and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations.7 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste, for from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return. 8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches.9 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem. 10 Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all; in Beth-le-aphrah roll yourselves in the dust.11 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame; the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out; the lamentation of Beth-ezel shall take away from you its standing place.12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because disaster has come down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish; it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts2 to Moresheth-gath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.15 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Mareshah; the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.16 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair, for the children of your delight; make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile. Woe to the Oppressors 2 Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.3 Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster,3 from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster.4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.”5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD. 6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach— “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient?4 Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.59 The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses; from their young children you take away my splendor forever.10 Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction.11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,
In This Episode: We discuss Chapters 21-31 in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible: 21. Justice is a joy to the godly 22. Sayings of the Wise - Choose a good reputation over riches 23. Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge 24. More Sayings of the Wise - Wisdom is sweet to your soul 25. More Proverbs of Solomon 26. Honour is not associated with fools 27. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend 28. People who conceal their sins will not prosper 29. To discipline a child produces wisdom 30. The Sayings of Agur 31. The Sayings of King Lemuel, A Wife of Noble Character --- // SUPPORT THE SHOW // Become a member Donate to the show // COURSES // Apply to join the Woman's Wisdom™ Accelerator to be in community with women living and working in flow Have Pain Free Periods with the Period Secrets™ Course Free Career Design Masterclass // LINKS // Looking for a coach? Let's work together! - 1:1 Coaching With Kalyna Shop Lead. Merch to support grassroots charities and get great loungewear // SOCIAL // Connect with Kalyna on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Subscribe to Get Updates on New Episodes --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kalyna/support
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
With family: Leviticus 10; Psalms 11–12 Leviticus 10 (Listen) The Death of Nadab and Abihu 10 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized1 fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'” And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.” 5 So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the LORD has kindled. 7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” 12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: “Take the grain offering that is left of the LORD's food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, from the LORD's food offerings, for so I am commanded. 14 But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons' due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. 15 The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be yours and your sons' with you as a due forever, as the LORD has commanded.” 16 Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.” 19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the LORD have approved?” 20 And when Moses heard that, he approved. Footnotes [1] 10:1 Or strange (ESV) Psalms 11–12 (Listen) The Lord Is in His Holy Temple To the choirmaster. Of David. 11 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”1 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. The Faithful Have Vanished To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith.2 A Psalm of David. 12 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us3 from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Footnotes [1] 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done? [2] 12:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [3] 12:7 Or guard him (ESV) In private: Proverbs 25; 1 Thessalonians 4 Proverbs 25 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Listen) A Life Pleasing to God 4 Finally, then, brothers,1 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:2 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body3 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,4 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Footnotes [1] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 [2] 4:3 Or your holiness [3] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel [4] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord (ESV)
(1) More Proverbs of Solomon. (2) The defiling of Dinah. (3) Jesus rejected at Nazareth. Jesus sends out the twelve apostles. The death of John the Baptist. Jesus feeds the five thousand. Jesus walks on water. Jesus heals the sick in Gennasaret.
Reading of...The Holy BibleProverbs21 22232425: More Proverbs of SolomonRead by Sir StoneMusic playlist properly licensed & provided by SoundstripeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sir-reads/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More Proverbs of Solomon
More Proverbs of Solomon
Old Testament: Isaiah 26–28 Isaiah 26–28 (Listen) You Keep Him in Perfect Peace 26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust.6 The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.” 7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.10 If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the LORD.11 O LORD, your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed. Let the fire for your adversaries consume them.12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.13 O LORD our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.14 They are dead, they will not live; they are shades, they will not arise; to that end you have visited them with destruction and wiped out all remembrance of them.15 But you have increased the nation, O LORD, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land. 16 O LORD, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.17 Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD;18 we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.21 For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain. The Redemption of Israel 27 In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. 2 In that day, “A pleasant vineyard,1 sing of it!3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;4 I have no wrath. Would that I had thorns and briers to battle! I would march against them, I would burn them up together.5 Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.” 6 In days to come2 Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. 7 Has he struck them as he struck those who struck them? Or have they been slain as their slayers were slain?8 Measure by measure,3 by exile you contended with them; he removed them with his fierce breath4 in the day of the east wind.9 Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin:5 when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or incense altars will remain standing.10 For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness; there the calf grazes; there it lies down and strips its branches.11 When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor. 12 In that day from the river Euphrates6 to the Brook of Egypt the LORD will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. 13 And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Judgment on Ephraim and Jerusalem 28 Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!2 Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot;4 and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig7 before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand. 5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory,8 and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people,6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. 7 These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by9 wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.8 For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. 9 “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” 11 For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people,12 to whom he has said, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose”; yet they would not hear.13 And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. A Cornerstone in Zion 14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid10 as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.'17 And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”18 Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it.19 As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.20 For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.21 For the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work!22 Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord GOD of hosts against the whole land. 23 Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.24 Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground?25 When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer11 as the border?26 For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. 27 Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.28 Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever;12 when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it.29 This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Footnotes [1] 27:2 Many Hebrew manuscripts A vineyard of wine [2] 27:6 Hebrew In those to come [3] 27:8 Or By driving her away; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [4] 27:8 Or wind [5] 27:9 Septuagint and this is the blessing when I take away his sin [6] 27:12 Hebrew from the River [7] 28:4 Or fruit [8] 28:5 The Hebrew words for glory and hosts sound alike [9] 28:7 Or confused by [10] 28:16 Dead Sea Scroll I am laying [11] 28:25 A type of wheat [12] 28:28 Or Grain is crushed for bread; he will surely thresh it, but not forever (ESV) New Testament: Hebrews 12:3–29 Hebrews 12:3–29 (Listen) Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly1 of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) New Testament: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.' 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) New Testament: Titus 3:1–8 Titus 3:1–8 (Listen) Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 23:29–35 Proverbs 23:29–35 (Listen) 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.135 “They struck me,” you will say,2 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Footnotes [1] 23:34 Or of the rigging [2] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say (ESV)
Morning: Proverbs 25–27 Proverbs 25–27 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.27 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.610 Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.13 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.714 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp8 oil in one's right hand.17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.918 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.27 There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross [6] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel [7] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners [8] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with [9] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another (ESV) Evening: 2 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 6 (Listen) 6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you,1 Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. The Temple of the Living God 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?2 Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Footnotes [1] 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you [2] 6:15 Greek Beliar (ESV)
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
Psalms and Wisdom: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Deuteronomy 26 Deuteronomy 26 (Listen) Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes 26 “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.' 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror,1 with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. 12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.' 16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. 18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, 19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.” Footnotes [1] 26:8 Hebrew with great terror (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Micah 1–2 Micah 1–2 (Listen) 1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. The Coming Destruction 2 Hear, you peoples, all of you;1 pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.3 For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards, and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations.7 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste, for from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return. 8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches.9 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem. 10 Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all; in Beth-le-aphrah roll yourselves in the dust.11 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame; the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out; the lamentation of Beth-ezel shall take away from you its standing place.12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because disaster has come down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish; it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts2 to Moresheth-gath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.15 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Mareshah; the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.16 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair, for the children of your delight; make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile. Woe to the Oppressors 2 Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.3 Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster,3 from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster.4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.”5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD. 6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach— “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient?4 Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.59 The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses; from their young children you take away my splendor forever.10 Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction.11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,
Proverbs 24–26 Proverbs 24–26 (Listen) 24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.9 The devising1 of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,2 for3 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.428 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.511 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze6 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 24:9 Or scheming [2] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [3] 25:8 Hebrew or else [4] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [5] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [6] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV)
With family: Leviticus 10; Psalms 11–12 Leviticus 10 (Listen) The Death of Nadab and Abihu 10 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized1 fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near; carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp.” 5 So they came near and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, “Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the LORD has kindled. 7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” 12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: “Take the grain offering that is left of the LORD’s food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due, from the LORD’s food offerings, for so I am commanded. 14 But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you, for they are given as your due and your sons’ due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. 15 The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be yours and your sons’ with you as a due forever, as the LORD has commanded.” 16 Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.” 19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the LORD have approved?” 20 And when Moses heard that, he approved. Footnotes [1] 10:1 Or strange (ESV) Psalms 11–12 (Listen) The Lord Is in His Holy Temple To the choirmaster. Of David. 11 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”1 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. The Faithful Have Vanished To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith.2 A Psalm of David. 12 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us3 from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Footnotes [1] 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done? [2] 12:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [3] 12:7 Or guard him (ESV) In private: Proverbs 25; 1 Thessalonians 4 Proverbs 25 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Listen) A Life Pleasing to God 4 Finally, then, brothers,1 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:2 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body3 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,4 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Footnotes [1] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 [2] 4:3 Or your holiness [3] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel [4] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord (ESV)
Proverbs 25:1–3 Proverbs 25:1–3 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) New Testament: Titus 3:1–8 Titus 3:1–8 (Listen) Be Ready for Every Good Work 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 23:29–35 Proverbs 23:29–35 (Listen) 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.135 “They struck me,” you will say,2 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Footnotes [1] 23:34 Or of the rigging [2] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say (ESV)
Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.111 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) New Testament: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)
Morning: Proverbs 25–27 Proverbs 25–27 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.27 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.610 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.13 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.714 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp8 oil in one’s right hand.17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.918 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.27 There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross [6] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel [7] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners [8] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with [9] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another (ESV) Evening: 2 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 6 (Listen) 6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you,1 Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. The Temple of the Living God 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?2 Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Footnotes [1] 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you [2] 6:15 Greek Beliar (ESV)
Proverbs 25 - More Proverbs of Solomon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lifewithin/support
Psalms and Wisdom: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen8 do not hastily bring into court,1 for2 what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.23 Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Deuteronomy 26 Deuteronomy 26 (Listen) Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes 26 “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror,1 with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. 12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, 13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ 16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. 18 And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, 19 and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.” Footnotes [1] 26:8 Hebrew with great terror (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Micah 1–2 Micah 1–2 (Listen) 1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. The Coming Destruction 2 Hear, you peoples, all of you;1 pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.3 For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards, and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations.7 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste, for from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return. 8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and mourning like the ostriches.9 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem. 10 Tell it not in Gath; weep not at all; in Beth-le-aphrah roll yourselves in the dust.11 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame; the inhabitants of Zaanan do not come out; the lamentation of Beth-ezel shall take away from you its standing place.12 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, because disaster has come down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.13 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish; it was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts2 to Moresheth-gath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.15 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Mareshah; the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.16 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair, for the children of your delight; make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile. Woe to the Oppressors 2 Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.3 Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster,3 from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster.4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.”5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD. 6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach— “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient?4 Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.59 The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses; from their young children you take away my splendor forever.10 Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction.11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,
Gossip destroys God's good gift of community! Let's listen to what God says about gossip and how we can build one another up instead of tearing each other down! … More Proverbs 16:24 “Gossip”
Truth is very important. All of us need to grow in telling the truth! Here's how! … More Proverbs 16:28 “Truth”
For adults only! Why do marriage God's way? … More Proverbs 5:15-23 Fidelity in Marriage
More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind! 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, 8 don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17 Don't visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. 18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. 20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.[a] 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you. 23 As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! 24 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. 25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. 26 If the godly give in to the wicked, it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. 27 It's not good to eat too much honey, and it's not good to seek honors for yourself. 28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.