Proverbs 19 Cross References - ISV

¹ The Priorities of Life Contrasted A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely. ² Furthermore, it isn’t good to be ignorant, and whoever rushes into things misses the mark. ³ A man’s foolishness ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴ Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. ⁵ A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will not escape. ⁶ Many curry favor of an official; everyone is a friend of the gift giver. ⁷ All the relatives of a poor person shun him— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he runs after them pleading, they aren’t around. ⁸ Whoever obtains wisdom loves himself, and whoever treasures understanding will prosper. ⁹ A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will perish. ¹⁰ It’s not fitting for a fool to live in luxury; neither is it for a servant to rule over princes. ¹¹ A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence. ¹² The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his goodwill is like dew on the grass. ¹³ A father’s ruin is a foolish son, and a wife’s quarreling is like dripping water that never stops. ¹⁴ A house and self-sufficiency are a father’s inheritance, but from the LORD comes an insightful wife. ¹⁵ Laziness puts one to sleep, and an idle person will go hungry. ¹⁶ Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe, but someone who is contemptuous in conduct will die. ¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the LORD— the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance. ¹⁸ Discipline your son while there is still hope— but don’t set your heart on his destruction. ¹⁹ The person who has great anger must pay the consequences, because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. ²⁰ Listen to advice and accept discipline, and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life. ²¹ Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD’s purposes will prevail. ²² Human beings long for grace, and it’s better to be poor than a man of deceit. ²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life; whoever is satisfied with it will rest, untouched by evil. ²⁴ The lazy person buries his hand in his dish and doesn’t bother to bring it back to his mouth. ²⁵ If you scourge a scoffer, the simple person may learn to be discreet; rebuke a discerning man and he will gain understanding. ²⁶ Whoever mistreats his father and alienates his mother is a son who brings both shame and disrespect. ²⁷ My son, if you stop listening to instruction, you will stray from the principles of knowledge. ²⁸ A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the wicked person feeds on iniquity. ²⁹ Condemnation is appropriate for mockers, just as beatings are for the backs of fools.

¹⁷ Now, be aware of this and consider what you should do. Calamity is being planned against our master and against his entire household. He’s such a worthless person that no one can talk to him.”

²⁵ Please, your majesty, don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he’s just like his name. Nabal is his name and folly is his constant companion. But I, your servant, didn’t see your majesty’s young men whom you sent.

¹¹ But as for me, I walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be gracious to me!

²⁶ Every day he is generous, lending freely, and his descendants are blessed.

²⁶ The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor, but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.

² Someone whose conduct is upright fears the LORD, but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

¹⁶ On Contentment and Other Good Things of LifeBetter is a little accompanied by fear of the LORD than abundant wealth with turmoil.

⁸ A little gain with righteousness is better than great income without justice.

²² Human beings long for grace, and it’s better to be poor than a man of deceit.

⁷ The righteous person lives a life of integrity; happy are his children who follow him!

⁶ It’s better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one’s lifestyle.

³ For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your tongue mutters wickedness.

³¹ So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.”
³³ A Tree is Known by Its Fruit
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten, because a tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴ You children of serpents! How can you say anything good when you are evil? The mouth speaks about what overflows from the heart.

²⁶ because what profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers! God has chosen the poor in the world to become rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who keep on loving him, has he not? ⁶ But you have humiliated the man who is poor. Are not rich people the ones who oppress you and drag you into court?

⁵ No Lies and Deception“If I’ve lived my life in the company of vanity, or run quickly to embrace deception,

¹⁶ For they run toward evil; these enticers shed blood without hesitation.

²¹ What the righteous person says nourishes many, but fools die because they lack discerning hearts.

²⁹ Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.

⁵ Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.

⁸ don’t be in a hurry to argue in court. Otherwise, what will you do later on when your neighbor humiliates you?

²⁰ The faithful man will prosper with blessings, but whoever is in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.

²² The miser is in a hurry to get wealthy, but he isn’t aware that poverty will catch up with him.

²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks hastily? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

⁹ Never be in a hurry to become internally angry, since anger settles down in the lap of fools.

⁹ ConclusionsMoreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs.

¹¹ When its branches are dry, they are broken off, and women come and kindle fires with them, since this is a people who show no consideration. That is why the One who made them shows them no compassion; the One who created them shows them no mercy.

¹⁶ therefore this is what the LORD God says: “Look! I am laying a foundation stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation: Whoever believes firmly will not act hastily.

⁶ My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge of me. Because you rejected that knowledge, I will reject you as a priest for me. Since you forget the Law of your God, I will also forget your children.

³ They’ll do this because they haven’t known the Father or me.

² For I can testify on their behalf that they have a zeal for God, but it is not in keeping with full knowledge.

⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more with full knowledge and insight,

⁶ When the woman saw that the tree produced good food, was attractive in appearance, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate some, too. ⁷ As a result, they both understood what they had done, and they became aware that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
⁸ When they heard the voice of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden during the breeze of the day, the man and his wife concealed themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ So the LORD God called out to the man, asking him, “Where are you?”
¹⁰ “I heard your voice in the garden,” the man answered, “and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid from you.”
¹¹ “Who told you that you are naked?” God asked. “Did you eat fruit from the tree that I commanded you not to eat?”
¹² The man answered, “The woman whom you provided for me gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate some of it.”

⁵ but he did not look favorably upon Cain and his offering.
When Cain became very upset and depressed, ⁶ the LORD asked Cain, “Why are you so upset? Why are you depressed? ⁷ If you do what is appropriate, you’ll be accepted, won’t you? But if you don’t do what is appropriate, sin is crouching near your doorway, turning toward you. Now as for you, will you take dominion over it?”
⁸ Instead, Cain told his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the wilderness.” When they were outside in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
⁹ Later, the LORD asked Cain, “Where’s your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he answered. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
¹⁰ “What did you do?” God asked. “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. ¹¹ Now you’re more cursed than the ground, which has opened to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² Whenever you work the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you, and you’ll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive.”
¹³ “My punishment is too great to bear,” Cain told the LORD. ¹⁴ “You’re driving me from the soil today. I’ll be hidden from you, and I’ll wander throughout the earth as a fugitive. In the future, whoever finds me will kill me.”

¹⁹ When Korah had assembled the entire community in opposition to Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire community.
²⁰ God Vindicates Moses and AaronThen the LORD told Moses and Aaron, ²¹ “Separate yourselves from among this community, and I’ll destroy them in a moment.”
²² Then they fell on their faces and said, “God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, will you be angry at the entire congregation on account of one man’s sin?”
²³ Then the LORD instructed Moses, ²⁴ “Tell the community to move away from where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are living.”
²⁵ So Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. ²⁶ Then he told the community, “Move away from the camps of these wicked men and don’t touch anything that belongs to them. That way you won’t be destroyed along with all their sins.” ²⁷ So they all moved away from the entire area where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were living.
Now Korah, Dathan, and Abiram stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons, and little children. ²⁸ Then Moses said, “This is how you’ll know that the LORD has sent me to do all these awesome works—they’re not coming merely from me. ²⁹ If these people die a death similar to all other human beings, or if they are punished with a punishment common to other men, then the LORD didn’t send me. ³⁰ But if the LORD creates something new, so that the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and everything that belongs to them and they all descend directly to Sheol while still alive, then you’ll know that these men have spurned the LORD.”
³¹ God Executes Korah’s FamiliesJust as he finished saying all these things, the ground under them split open. ³² The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, all their households, everyone who was affiliated with Korah, and all of their property. ³³ So they and all that belonged to them descended alive to Sheol. Then the earth closed over them. That’s how they were annihilated from the assembly.
³⁴ Then all of the Israelis who were around them ran away when they heard them crying, “…so the ground won’t swallow us up, too.” ³⁵ After this, fire came from the LORD and incinerated the 250 men who offered the incense.
³⁶ The Censers Used for the Altar Then the LORD instructed Moses, ³⁷ “Tell Aaron’s son Eleazar the priest to take out the censers out of the flames and scatter the coals far away, since they are holy. ³⁸ As for the censers of those rebels who died, fasten them into beaten plates to line the altar. Since they brought them into the LORD’s presence, they’re holy. They are to become a reminder to the Israelis.”
³⁹ So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers that had been burned and beat them into metal plates for the altar, ⁴⁰ to serve as a memorial to the Israelis, a reminder that no unauthorized person, who isn’t a descendant of Aaron, is to attempt to burn incense in the LORD’S presence, so that he may not become like Korah and his group, just as the LORD had spoken by the authority of Moses.
⁴¹ The Israelis Continue to ComplainNevertheless, the very next day, the whole congregation of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, “You’ve killed the LORD’S people!”

¹² Then the Israelis told Moses, “We’re sure to die! We’re all going to perish—all of us! ¹³ Anyone who comes near or approaches the LORD’s tent is to die. Are all of us going to die?”

¹³ Then Samuel told Saul, “You have acted foolishly. You haven’t obeyed the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever,

²³ Indeed, rebellion is the sin of divination, and arrogance is iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected this message from the LORD, he has rejected you from being king.”

¹³ Then Saul asked him, “Why have you conspired against me—you and Jesse’s son—by giving him food and a sword, and by inquiring of God for him, so he can rise up against me to lie in wait, as he’s doing today?”
¹⁴ Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your officials is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard, and he’s honored in your household. ¹⁵ Is today the first time I inquired of God for him? Absolutely not! The king shouldn’t accuse his servant, or any of my father’s family of anything, because your servant didn’t know anything at all about this.”
¹⁶ The king said, “Ahimelech, you will surely die, you and all your father’s family!” ¹⁷ The king told the guards, who were standing beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD because they supported David, and because they knew he was fleeing, but didn’t inform me.” But the officials of the king did not want to lift their hands to attack the priests of the LORD.
¹⁸ Then the king told Doeg, “You turn and attack the priests.” Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests. That day he killed eighty-five men who carry the linen ephod. ¹⁹ He attacked the priestly town of Nob with the sword. Men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys and sheep were put to the sword.
²⁰ Abiathar Takes the Ephod to DavidOne man, Ahimelech’s son Abiathar, a grandson of Ahitub, escaped and fled to David. ²¹ Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. ²² David told Abiathar, “I knew on that day when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would certainly tell Saul! I’m responsible for the deaths of your father’s whole family. ²³ Stay with me, and don’t be afraid because the one who seeks my life, seeks your life. Indeed, you will be safe with me.”

⁴² He told the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you let the man whom I had dedicated to destruction go free, therefore your life is to be forfeited for his life, and your people for his people.’”
⁴³ After hearing this, the king of Israel rode back to his palace in Samaria, frustrated and in a foul mood.

⁹ So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom made a complete circuit on the road for seven days, but there was no water for the army or for the livestock that accompanied them.
¹⁰ Then the king of Israel remarked, “Oh no! The LORD has summoned us three kings so he can hand us over to Moab, hasn’t he?”

³³ While he was still talking with them, the messenger arrived to see him and delivered the king’s message to Elisha, “Look! This evil has come from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD anymore?”

⁹ The LORD’s eyes keep on roaming throughout the earth, looking for those whose hearts completely belong to him, so that he may strongly support them. But because you have acted foolishly in this, from now on you will have wars.” ¹⁰ In response, Asa flew into a rage and locked up the seer in stocks in the palace prison because of what Hanani had told him. Asa also tortured some of the people of Israel at that time.

¹ Davidic
Patiently Trust in God Don’t be angry because of those who do evil, do not be jealous because of those who commit iniquity.

⁷ Be silent in the LORD’s presence and wait patiently for him. Don’t be angry because of the one whose way prospers or the one who implements evil schemes.

³ The integrity of the righteous guides them, but the hypocrisy of the treacherous destroys them.

²¹ “They’ll pass through the land, while greatly distressed and hungry. When they are hungry, they’ll become enraged, and they’ll curse their king and their god. They’ll turn their faces upwards, ²² or they’ll look toward the earth, but they’ll see only distress and darkness, the gloom that comes from anguish, and then they’ll be thrown into total darkness.”

⁴⁵ But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to object to the statements made by Paul and even to abuse him.
⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas boldly declared, “We had to speak God’s word to you first, but since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are now going to turn to the gentiles.

⁹ and they were burned by the fierce heat. They cursed the name of God, who has the authority over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.
¹⁰ The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast. Its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed on their tongues in anguish ¹¹ and cursed the God of heaven because of their pain-filled sores. But they did not repent of their behavior.

¹⁵ But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow. ¹⁶ Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide. ¹⁷ But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds. ¹⁸ Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die. ¹⁹ Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them. ²⁰ For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far. ²¹ “And now you’re all just like them, aren’t you? You see my terror and are terrified. ²² When did I ever ask you for anything, say ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?’ ²³ or say ‘Deliver me from my enemy’s control,’ or ‘Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people’?”

¹³ Job’s Family and Friends Abandoned Him“My brothers are alienated from me; my acquaintances are estranged; ¹⁴ my relatives have failed me; and my friends have abandoned me. ¹⁵ Those who live in my house— and my maidservants, too!— treat me like a stranger; they think I’m a foreigner. ¹⁶ “I call to my servant, but he doesn’t respond, even though I beg to him earnestly. ¹⁷ My wife says my breath stinks; even my children say I smell bad!

¹⁵ The rich hide within the fortress that is their wealth, but the poor are dismayed due to their poverty.

²⁰ The poor person is shunned by his neighbor, but many are the friends of the wealthy.

⁶ Many curry favor of an official; everyone is a friend of the gift giver. ⁷ All the relatives of a poor person shun him— how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he runs after them pleading, they aren’t around.

¹³ A few days later, the younger son gathered everything he owned and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted it all on wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went out to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

¹ Laws about Truthful Testimony“You are not to spread a false report, nor are you to join forces with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

¹¹ “‘You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the LORD will not leave the one who misues his name unpunished.ד

¹⁶ When a malicious witness takes the stand against a man and accuses him, ¹⁷ then both must stand with their dispute in the LORD’s presence, the priests, and the judges at that time. ¹⁸ The judges will investigate thoroughly. If the false witness lies in testifying against his relative, ¹⁹ do to him just as he intended to do to his relative. By doing this you will purge evil from your midst. ²⁰ When others hear of this, they will be afraid and will not do such an evil deed again in your midst. ²¹ Your eyes must not show pity—life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.”

⁹ But don’t let him off unpunished, since you’re a wise man and you’ll know what you need to do to him. Find a way that he dies in his old age by shedding his blood.”

³ What will be given to you, and what will be done to you, you treacherous tongue? ⁴ Like a sharp arrow from a warrior, along with fiery coals from juniper trees!

¹⁹ a false witness snorting lies, and someone sowing quarrels between brothers.

⁹ A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will perish.

²⁸ A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.

²⁴ Then the king gave orders to bring those men who had tried to have Daniel devoured, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ pit. They had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had overtaken them and crushed all their bones.

²⁰ You are to tell him, ‘Look! Your servant Jacob is coming along behind us.’”
Jacob was thinking, “I’ll pacify him with the presents that are being sent ahead of me. Then, when I meet him, perhaps he’ll accept me.”

⁶ Joseph’s Brothers Encounter JosephMeanwhile, Joseph continued to be ruler over the land, in charge of selling to everyone in the land. Joseph’s brothers appeared and bowed down to him, face down.

¹⁵ So the men took their gift and twice as much money, got up, took Benjamin with them, and set out for Egypt. Eventually they appeared before Joseph.

¹⁹ and addressed him, “May your majesty not hold me guilty. Don’t remember how your servant did wrong the day your majesty the king left Jerusalem. May the king not let it burden his heart, ²⁰ because your servant knows that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first one from the entire house of Joseph to meet your majesty the king.”
²¹ But Zeruiah’s son Abishai asked, “Why shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? After all, he cursed the LORD’s anointed!”
²² David replied, “What do you sons of Zeruiah have in common with me? You’ve become my enemies today! Should anyone be executed in Israel today? Don’t you know that I’ve been reinstated as king over Israel today?” ²³ Then the king addressed Shimei, “You won’t die!” affirming his promise with an oath.
²⁴ David Meets MephiboshethMeanwhile, Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth also went out to greet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. ²⁵ When he arrived from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king asked him, “So why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?”
²⁶ He replied, “Well, your majesty, since your servant is lame, I told myself, ‘I’ll have my donkey saddled and I’ll ride on it so I can leave with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me ²⁷ by slandering your servant to your majesty. But your majesty the king is like an angel from God: so do what you think is best. ²⁸ Everyone from my grandfather’s household deserved nothing but death from your majesty the king, but you provided a place for your servant among those who have been eating from your table. So what right do I have to ask for anything more from the king?”
²⁹ In response, the king told him, “What’s the point of us talking anymore? My decision is that you and Ziba divide the fields.”
³⁰ But Mephibosheth told the king, “Let him take all of it, now that your majesty the king has returned safely to his palace.”
³¹ David’s Mercy for BarzillaiBarzillai the Gileadite also had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king and to see him on his way from there. ³² Now Barzillai was a very old man at the age of 80 years. A very wealthy man, Barzillai had provided for king David during his sojourn in Mahanaim. ³³ So the king invited Barzillai, “Cross the Jordan River with me, live with me in Jerusalem, and I’ll provide for you there.”
³⁴ “How many more years do I have to live,” Barzillai replied to the king, “that I should move to Jerusalem with the king? ³⁵ I’m now 80 years old! I can hardly tell the difference between what tastes good or bad! I can’t tell what I eat or drink! I can’t hear the voice of men and women when they sing! So why should your servant be an added burden to your majesty the king? ³⁶ Your servant will cross the Jordan River with the king for a short distance, but why should the king offer me this reward? ³⁷ Please let your servant return so I can die in my own home town near the grave of my father and mother. Meanwhile, here is your servant Chimham! Let him accompany your majesty the king. Please do for him whatever seems best to you.”
³⁸ So the king answered, “Chimham will accompany me, and I’ll do for him whatever seems best to you! I’ll do anything for you that you want!” ³⁹ Then all the people crossed the Jordan River, followed by the king. The king embraced Barzillai, blessed him, and then Barzillai returned to his home.

²⁴ I smiled at them when they had no confidence, and no one could discourage me. ²⁵ I set an example of the way to live, as a leader would; I lived like a king among his army; like one who comforts mourners.”

¹² The daughter of Tyre will come with a wedding gift; wealthy people will entreat your favor.

¹⁵ When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

⁸ A bribe works wonders in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns he prospers.

¹⁶ A person’s gift opens doors for him, bringing him access to important people.

¹² The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion, but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.

¹⁴ Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.

²⁶ Many seek a ruler’s favor, but justice for a man comes from the LORD.

¹¹ After they went into the house and saw the child with his mother Mary, they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure sacks and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.

¹¹ As for my friends and my neighbors, they stand aloof from my distress; even my close relatives stand at a distance.

⁸ You caused my acquaintances to shun me; you make me extremely abhorrent to them. Restrained, I am unable to go out.

¹⁸ You caused my friend and neighbor to shun me; and my acquaintances are confused.

²³ The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly.

⁴ Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

¹³ Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won’t be answered.

¹⁵ Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.
¹⁶ So I concluded, “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard.”

³⁸ So he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ The people at the front of the crowd sternly told him to be quiet, but he started shouting even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
⁴⁰ Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,

⁶ But you have humiliated the man who is poor. Are not rich people the ones who oppress you and drag you into court?

¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister does not have any clothes or daily food ¹⁶ and one of you tells them, “Go in peace! Stay warm and eat heartily.” If you do not provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do?

¹⁷ Whoever has earthly possessions and notices a brother in need and yet withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God be present in him? ¹⁸ Little children, we must stop expressing love merely by our words and manner of speech; we must love also in action and in truth.

¹¹ Moreover your servant is warned by them; and there is great reward in keeping them.

¹ The Benefits of Embracing Wisdom My son, if you accept my words, and treasure my instructions— ² making your ear attentive to wisdom, and turning your heart to understanding— ³ if, indeed, you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, ⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD and learn to know God. ⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright and is a shield to those who walk in integrity— ⁸ guarding the paths of the just and protecting the way of his faithful ones. ⁹ Then you will understand what is right, just, and upright—every good path.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

²¹ Benefits of WisdomMy son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,

⁴ he taught me and told me, “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say; keep my commandments and live!

⁶ Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you.

²¹ Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart.

³⁵ because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD. ³⁶ But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death.”

²⁰ Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.

¹⁶ What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom, but is senseless?

¹⁸ for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips.

²⁶ “‘“I’m going to give you a new heart, and I’m going to give you a new spirit within all of your deepest parts. I’ll remove that rock-hard heart of yours and replace it with one that’s sensitive to me.

²⁵ The one who loves his life will destroy it, and the one who hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

²¹ The person who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, will love him and reveal myself to him.”

¹⁰ “For the person who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

⁵ A witness to lies will not go unpunished; the teller of falsehoods will not escape.

¹⁵ the elder and the dignitary is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. ¹⁶ For those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up. ¹⁷ Therefore the Lord does not have pity on their young men, and has no compassion on their orphans and widows, because each of them was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke folly. “Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out, ready to strike.

²⁵ “I’ve heard what the prophets who prophesy lies in my name have said: ‘I had a dream; I had a dream.’ ²⁶ How long will this go on? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy from the deceit that is in their hearts? ²⁷ With their dreams that they relate to one another, they plan to make my people forget my name just as their ancestors forgot my name by embracing Baal. ²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but let whoever receives my message speak my message truthfully. What does straw have in common with wheat?” declares the LORD. ²⁹ “My message is like fire or like a hammer that shatters rock, is it not?” declares the LORD.
³⁰ “Therefore, look, I’m against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who steal my words from each other. ³¹ Look, I’m against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who use their tongues to issue a declaration. ³² Look, I’m against those who prophesy based on false dreams,” declares the LORD, “and relate them and lead my people astray with their lies and their recklessness. I didn’t send them; I didn’t command them, and they provide no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.

¹⁵ The prophet Jeremiah told the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD didn’t send you, and you are causing these people to trust in a lie. ¹⁶ Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I’m about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you will die because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’”
¹⁷ So the prophet Hananiah died in the seventh month of that year.

³¹ “Send a message to all the exiles: ‘This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah from Nehelam, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I didn’t send him, and has made you trust a lie,” ³² therefore, this is what the LORD says: “I’m about to judge Shemaiah from Nehelam along with his descendants. He won’t have anyone related to him living among these people. Nor will he see the good that I’ll do for my people,” declares the LORD, “because he advocated rebellion against the LORD.”’”

²² “‘“Because you’ve dismayed the heart of the righteous—whom I never intended to dismay—with lies, and because you’ve encouraged the wicked so that he wouldn’t abandon his evil behavior and by doing so live,

⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the breath of his mouth, rendering him powerless by the manifestation of his coming.
⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders, ¹⁰ and every type of evil to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them.

¹ A Prophecy about the FutureNow the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons, ² and the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences have been burned by a hot iron.

¹ Warning against False TeachersNow there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. ³ In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed.

²⁰ The beast was captured, along with the false prophet who had performed signs on its behalf. By these signs the false prophet had deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

⁸ But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

¹⁵ Outside are dogs, sorcerers, immoral people, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

³⁶ Nabal’s DeathAbigail returned to Nabal, and he was there in his house holding a festival like the festival of a king. Nabal’s heart was glad, and he was very drunk, so she didn’t tell him anything at all until morning.

²⁴ So Joab approached the king and asked him, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! What’s this? You sent him away? He’s long gone now! ²⁵ You know Ner’s son Abner came to mislead you, to learn your troop movements, and to learn everything you’re doing!”

³⁹ Today, even though I’m anointed as king, I’m weak. These men, sons of Zeruiah, are too difficult for me. May the LORD repay the one who acts wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!”

¹⁵ The couriers went out, urged on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in Susa the capital. The king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

⁷ Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!

¹ On Fools Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.

²¹ Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot remain steady: ²² Under a slave when he becomes a king, a fool when he is overfed,

⁵ Here’s another tragedy that I’ve observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer: ⁶ Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places. ⁷ And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.

⁵ People will oppress one another— It will be man against man and neighbor against neighbor. The young will be disrespectful to the old, and the worthless to the honorable.

¹¹ Judgment on Alcoholics“How terrible it will be for those who rise at dawn in order to grab a stiff drink, for those who stay up late at night as wine inflames them! ¹² They have the lyre and harp, the tambourine and flute, as well as wine at their festivals, but they don’t respect what the LORD is doing, nor do they consider his actions.

¹² On that day the Lord GOD of the Heavenly Armies called for weeping and mourning, for shaving heads and wearing sackcloth. ¹³ But look! There is joy and festivity, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, you say, because we die tomorrow.” ¹⁴ “Nevertheless, the LORD of the Heavenly Armies has revealed himself to my hearing: ‘“Surely because of you this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die,’ says the Lord GOD of the Heavenly Armies.”

³ They please the king with their evil, and the princes with their dishonesty. ⁴ All of them are adulterers— they burn like an oven prepared by the baker, who has ceased stoking it until the dough is leavened. ⁵ “On the king’s festival day the princes got drunk from wine, so the king joined the mockers.

¹ Punishment for Israel “Don’t celebrate, Israel, like other nations would rejoice, because you left your God by committing fornication, loving the profit you gained on all of the threshing floors.

³ “Disbelieving that a day of evil will come, embracing opportunities to commit violence, ⁴ lying on ivory beds, stretching out on your couches, eating lambs from the flock, and fattened calves from the stall, ⁵ chanting to the sound of stringed instruments as if they were David, composing songs to themselves as if they were musicians, ⁶ drinking wine from bowls, anointing themselves with the choicest of oils, but not grieving on the occasion of Joseph’s ruin—

¹⁹ The Rich Man and Lazarus“Once there was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and live in great luxury every day.

²³ In the afterlife, where he was in constant torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus by his side.

⁹ Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom.

¹⁵ Later, after Joseph’s brothers faced the reality of their father’s death, they asked themselves, “What happens if Joseph decides to hold a grudge against us? What if he pays us back in full for all the wrong things we did to him?”
¹⁶ So they sent this message to Joseph: ¹⁷ “Before he died, your father left some instructions. He told us, ‘Tell Joseph, “Please forgive your brothers’ offenses. I beg you, forgive their sins, because they wronged you.”’ So please forgive the transgression of the servants of your father’s God.”
Joseph wept when they talked to him. ¹⁸ So Joseph’s brothers went to visit him, fell prostrate in front of him, and declared, “Look! We’re your servants.”
¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” Joseph responded. “Am I sitting in God’s place? ²⁰ As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive. ²¹ So don’t be afraid! I’ll take care of you and your little ones.” So Joseph kept on comforting them, speaking to the needs of their hearts.

¹⁶ The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent, but the prudent person overlooks an insult.

¹⁸ The quickly angered man stirs up contention, but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

³² Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.

¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like spilling water— so drop the dispute before it escalates.

³ Avoiding strife brings a man honor, but every fool is quarrelsome.

²¹ If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.

⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous.

²¹ The Parable about an Unforgiving ServantThen Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?”
²² Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times!

¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord.” ²⁰ But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him. For if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

³² And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³ Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.

¹⁹ You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

⁴ He is like dawn’s first light, like bright sun blazing on a cloudless morning, glistening on grassland that flourishes after a rain shower.

⁸ When the king returned to the banquet hall from the palace garden, Haman was prostrate on the couch where Esther was. The king asked, “Will this man even assault the queen with me in the house?” The king had no sooner spoken than they covered Haman’s face.

⁶ May he be like the rain that descends on mown grass, like showers sprinkling on the ground.

³ It is like the dew of Hermon falling on Zion’s mountains. For there the LORD commanded his blessing— life everlasting.

¹⁴ The king’s wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him. ¹⁵ When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

² A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar; anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

¹⁵ A roaring lion and a charging bear— that’s what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.

⁴ Since a king’s command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, “What are you doing?”

¹² At this point, the king flew into a rage and issued an order to destroy all the advisors of Babylon. ¹³ When the order went out to kill the advisors, they searched for Daniel and his friends to kill them, too.

¹⁹ The King Orders an ExecutionOut of control with rage, Nebuchadnezzar’s facial expression changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and he ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰ Then he issued orders to his elite guard to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with ropes and throw them into the blazing fire furnace. ²¹ So the elite guard tied them up fully clothed, still wearing their robes, tunics, and turbans, and threw them into the blazing fire furnace, ²² because the king’s command was so drastic. Since the furnace was blazing hot, its flames killed those who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the blazing fire. ²³ Bound firmly with ropes, these three men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the blazing fire furnace.

¹⁹ And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages revered and feared him. He executed those whom he desired to execute, he spared those whom he wished to spare, he promoted those whom he desired to promote, and he humbled those whom he wished to humble.

⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel; Israel will blossom like a lily, growing roots like the cedars of Lebanon.

⁷ The survivors of Jacob will live among many peoples, as dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass. They will look to no one, and will place no hope in human beings.

⁴ Fear God
“But I tell you, my friends, never be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can’t do anything more. ⁵ I’ll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after killing you. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him!

¹ Amnon’s Rape of TamarSometime after this, David’s son Amnon fell in love with David’s other son Absalom’s beautiful sister Tamar. ² Amnon became so emotionally distressed that he fell sick over his half-sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and Amnon found it difficult to do anything to her.
³ Meanwhile, Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, who was the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Now Jonadab was a very shrewd man. ⁴ “Why are you so depressed these past few mornings,” Jonadab asked Amnon, “since you’re a son of the king? Why not tell me?”
Amnon replied, “I’m in love with my brother Absalom’s sister Tamar.”
⁵ Jonadab advised him, “Lie down and fake being sick. When your father visits you, ask him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat that she prepares especially for me, and after she makes dinner for me, let her feed it to me personally.’”
⁶ So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to visit him, Amnon asked the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make some of her bread especially for me, so she can feed it to me personally.”
⁷ So David sent for Tamar back at the palace, telling her, “Please go to your brother Amnon’s home and prepare some food for him.” ⁸ Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s home, where he was lying down. She brought along some dough, kneaded it, prepared some cakes especially for him, baked them, ⁹ and emptied the baking skillet just for him, but he refused to eat.
“Send everybody out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left the room. ¹⁰ Amnon told Tamar, “Bring the food into my private bedroom, so I can eat it with you personally.” So Tamar took the cakes she had prepared and brought them into the private bedroom for her brother Amnon.
¹¹ But as soon as she brought them near him to eat, he overpowered her and told her, “Come here and have sex with me, my sister!”
¹² “No, my brother!” she kept telling him. “Don’t humiliate me like this! This just isn’t done in Israel! Don’t do this utterly foolish thing! ¹³ And what about me? Where will I go to escape this disgrace? And as for you, you’ll be known as one of Israel’s greatest fools! So please talk to the king, because he won’t withhold me from you!”
¹⁴ But he was unwilling to listen to what she was saying. Since he was stronger than she was, he forced her into having sex with him. ¹⁵ Afterwards, though, Amnon hated her very intensely. As a result, his hatred for her exceeded the love that he had previously for her. So Amnon told her, “Get up! Leave!”
¹⁶ Even so, she tried to tell him, “No! After all, it’s more wrong to send me away than what you just did to me!”
But he was unwilling to listen to her. ¹⁷ So he called out to a young man who was serving him, and told him: “Send this woman away from me and lock the door after her.”
¹⁸ Now she was clothed in a long sleeved, multi-colored ornamental tunic, commonly worn by the king’s virgin daughters. When Amnon’s servant threw her out and locked the door after her,

¹⁹ Water wears away stones; floods wash away topsoil from the land— but you destroy the hope of human beings just like that!

¹ Solomon’s SayingsThe proverbs of Solomon. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grieves his mother.

²⁰ A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow— the father of a fool has no joy.

²⁵ A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother.

⁹ It’s better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.

¹⁹ It’s better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.

²⁴ It’s better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman.

¹⁵ A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.

¹⁸ The Pointlessness of LaborThen I despised everything I had worked for on earth, that is, the things that I will leave to the person who will succeed me. ¹⁹ And who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Either way, he will take possession of everything that I have done on earth, especially where I have excelled. This also is pointless.

⁷ “The LORD God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and from my family’s land, who spoke to me and promised me ‘I will give this land to your descendants,’ will send his angel ahead of you, and you are to acquire a wife for my son from there.

¹ Isaac Sends Jacob to Paddan-aramLater, Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, instructing him, “Don’t marry a wife from the local Canaanite women. ² Instead, get up, travel to Paddan-aram, and visit the household of Bethuel, your mother’s father. Marry one of Laban’s daughters, since he’s your mother’s brother. ³ May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful so that your descendants become a whole group of people. ⁴ May he give you and your descendants the blessings that he gave Abraham. May you possess the land where you have lived that God gave to Abraham.”

¹⁶ then when he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, he must not give preference to the firstborn of the beloved wife over the firstborn of the unloved wife.

²³ Joshua conquered the entire land, in accordance with everything that the LORD had told Moses. Joshua presented it as an inheritance to Israel, dividing it according to tribal allotments. Then the land enjoyed rest from war.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

²² A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the wealth of the wicked is reserved for the righteous.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds what is good, and receives favor from the LORD.

¹⁰ The Honorable WomanWho can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. ¹² She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. ¹³ She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. ¹⁴ She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. ¹⁵ She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. ¹⁶ She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. ¹⁸ She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. ²⁰ She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. ²¹ She is unafraid of winter’s effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. ²² She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. ²³ Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. ²⁴ She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. ²⁵ Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. ²⁶ She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. ²⁷ She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. ²⁸ Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: ²⁹ “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says, “but you surpass all of them!” ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. ³¹ Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise.

¹⁴ Now I’m ready to visit you for a third time, and I will not bother you for help. I do not want your things, but rather you yourselves. Children should not have to support their parents, but parents their children.

¹⁷ Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow.

⁹ How long will you lie down, lazy man? When will you get up from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

⁴ Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands lead to wealth. ⁵ Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely, but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.

²⁴ The lazy person buries his hand in his dish and doesn’t bother to bring it back to his mouth.

¹³ Do not love sleep or you’ll become poor, keep your eyes open and you’ll have plenty of food.

²¹ because drunks and gluttons tend to become poor, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

³³ “A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!”

¹⁰ His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge. They are all dumb dogs— they cannot bark. They keep on dreaming and lying around, and they’re lovers of sleep!

¹¹ Live in the Light of the Messiah’s ReturnThis is necessary because you know the times—it’s already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. ¹² The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let’s therefore put aside the actions of darkness and put on the armor of light.

¹⁴ for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, “Wake up, sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.’’

¹⁰ While we were with you, we gave this order: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, he shouldn’t eat.”

¹⁸ to those who keep his covenant and to those who remember to observe his precepts.

¹ The Blessings of Trusting God My son, don’t forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind.

¹³ Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it, but whoever heeds a command will be rewarded.

³² Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding.

¹⁷ The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives preserves his life.

²³ Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.

⁵ Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person, but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.

¹⁸ Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint, but those who obey the Law are happy.

⁵ Whoever obeys his commands will not experience harm, and the wise in heart will discern both the appropriate time and response.

¹³ Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.

²³ but I did give them this command: ‘Obey me and I’ll be your God, and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you so it will go well for you.’

⁵ After all, he heard the alarm sounding, but did not heed the warning, so his shed blood will remain his own responsibility. If he had heeded the warning, he would have saved himself.

²⁸ Jesus told him, “You have answered correctly. ‘Do this, and you will live.’”

²⁸ But he said, “Instead, how blessed are those who hear God’s word and obey it!”

¹⁵ The Promise of the Helper“If you love me, keep my commandments.

²¹ The person who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, will love him and reveal myself to him.”
²² Judas (not Iscariot) asked him, “Lord, how is it that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
²³ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him.

¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you’ll abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ I’ve told you this, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
¹² “This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one shows greater love than when he lays down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God’s commandments is everything.

³ This is how we can be sure that we have come to know him: if we continually keep his commandments. ⁴ The person who says, “I have come to know him,” but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth has no place in that person.

²² Whatever we request we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

³ For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult,

¹⁴ “How blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city!

⁷ Care for the Poor“If there should be a poor man among your relatives in one of the cities of the land that the LORD your God is about to give you, don’t be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor relative. ⁸ Instead, be sure to open your hand to him and lend him enough to lessen his need. ⁹ Be careful not to think this wicked thought to yourselves: ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is drawing near,’ and you show ill will toward your poor relative and not give to him. He may then call to the LORD on account of you, and you will be guilty of sin. ¹⁰ You must certainly give to him and not feel regret for doing so. Because of this, the LORD your God will bless all your works and everything you do. ¹¹ Since poor people won’t cease to exist in the land, therefore I’m commanding you: Be sure to be generous to your poor and needy relatives in your land.”
¹² Releasing Slaves“When a fellow Hebrew male or female slave is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you are to set them free. ¹³ But when you set them free, don’t send them away empty-handed. ¹⁴ Provide for them liberally from your flock, threshing floor, and wine vat. As the LORD your God has blessed you, so give to them.

⁶ He will restore the lamb four times its value, because he did this thing, and because he did it without compassion.”

²⁴ Those who give freely gain even more; others hold back what they owe, becoming even poorer. ²⁵ A generous person will prosper, and anyone who gives water will receive a flood in return.

¹⁴ By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied, and a man’s handiwork will reward him.

²¹ Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator, but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.

⁸ Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed.

¹ Preparing for the Future Spread your bread on the water— after a while you will find it.

⁷ Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him with clothing, and not to raise yourself up from your own flesh and blood?”
⁸ God’s Reward“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will spring up quickly; and your vindication will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will guard your back. ⁹ Then you’ll call, and the LORD will answer; you’ll cry for help, and he’ll respond, ‘Here I am.’ “If you do away with the yoke among you, and pointing fingers and malicious talk; ¹⁰ if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the needs of afflicted souls, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will be like noonday. ¹¹ And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in parched places, and they will strengthen your bones; and you’ll be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.

⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² I tell all of you with certainty, whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple will never lose his reward.”

⁴⁰ The king will answer them, ‘I tell all of you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’

³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your lap, because you’ll be evaluated by the same standard with which you evaluate others.”

⁶ Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.

¹⁷ It is not that I am looking for a gift. No, I want to see that you receive the fruit that increases to your benefit.

¹⁰ For God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have ministered to the saints and continue to minister to them.

²⁴ Whoever does not discipline his son hates him, but whoever loves him is diligent to correct him.

¹⁵ A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

¹³ Don’t withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with a rod, he won’t die. ¹⁴ Punish him with a rod, and you will rescue his soul from Sheol.

¹⁵ The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom, but an undisciplined child brings shame to his mother.

¹⁷ Correct your son and he will comfort you; he will also delight your soul.

⁷ What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God’s sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. We should submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn’t we? ¹⁰ For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but God does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness.

³⁰ Saul’s Anger toward JonathanSaul flew into a rage and told Jonathan, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have chosen Jesse’s son to your shame and to the shame of your mother who bore you? ³¹ As long as Jesse’s son lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established! Now send someone and bring David to me. He’s a dead man!”

⁷ Saul told his officials who were standing around him, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will Jesse’s son also give fields and vineyards to all of you? Will he make all of you officers over thousands and officers over hundreds? ⁸ But all of you have conspired against me, and no one tells me about my son’s covenant with Jesse’s son. None of you feels sorry for me and tells me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in wait, as he’s doing this day.”
⁹ Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants answered: “I saw Jesse’s son coming to Nob to Ahitub’s son Ahimelech. ¹⁰ Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
¹¹ Saul Orders the Execution of the PriestsThe king sent for Ahitub’s son Ahimelech the priest and for all his father’s family who were priests at Nob. All of them came to the king. ¹² Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub!”
And he said, “Here I am, your majesty.”

¹⁷ to David, “You are more righteous than I am, because you have treated me well even though I’ve treated you poorly. ¹⁸ You have explained how you treated me well, in that the LORD delivered me into your hand but you didn’t kill me. ¹⁹ For who would find his enemy and then send him away safely? May the LORD repay you for what you have done for me today. ²⁰ Now I know for certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom will be established under your authority. ²¹ Now swear to me by the LORD that you will never eliminate my descendants after me, and that you won’t erase my name from my father’s family.” ²² David made this vow to Saul, and then Saul went home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.

²¹ Saul Apologizes AgainThen Saul said, “I’ve wronged you. Return, my son David, for I won’t harm you again because my life was precious to you today. Look, I’ve acted foolishly and have made a very great mistake.”
²² David replied, “Here’s the king’s spear. Have one of the young men come over and get it. ²³ The LORD repays a person for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The LORD gave you into my control today, but I refused to raise my hand against the LORD’s anointed. ²⁴ Look, just as your life was valuable in my eyes today, so may my life be valuable in the LORD’s eyes, and may he deliver me from all trouble.”
²⁵ Saul told David, “Blessed are you, my son David. In whatever you do you will surely succeed.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

⁵ Shimei Curses DavidLater on, as King David approached Bahurim, Gera’s son Shimei, who was related to the family of Saul’s household, went out to meet David, cursing continually as he approached. ⁶ He threw rocks at David and all of David’s staff who were accompanying him, while all the rest of the entourage, including all of David’s security detail, were close by him.

²⁴ Don’t make friends with a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered, ²⁵ or you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap.

²⁸ Like a city with breached walls is a man without self-control.

²² An angry man stirs up arguments, and a hot-tempered man causes many transgressions.

¹⁰ Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him.”

¹⁶ and fed you in the desert with manna that neither you nor your ancestors had known, to humble and test you so that things go well with you later.

²⁹ O, that they were wise to understand this and consider their future!

³⁷ Observe the blameless! Take note of the upright! Indeed, the future of that man is peace.

¹² teach us to keep account of our days so we may develop inner wisdom.

¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your gracious love so we may sing for joy and rejoice every day.

⁸ The Minor ThemeMy son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.

¹ Diligently Pursue Wisdom Listen, children, to your father’s instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.

³⁴ Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways— ³⁵ because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD.

¹⁵ The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion, but wise is the man who listens to advice.

¹⁹ The Rich Man and Lazarus“Once there was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and live in great luxury every day. ²⁰ A beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, was brought to his gate. ²¹ He was always trying to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs used to come and lick his sores.
²² “One day, the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In the afterlife, where he was in constant torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus by his side.

¹⁹ “Look!” they said. “Here comes the Dream Master! ²⁰ Come on! Let’s kill him and toss him into one of the cisterns. Then we’ll report that some wild animal devoured him and wait to see what becomes of his dreams!”

⁴ Joseph implored his brothers, “Please come close to me.” So they did.
“I’m your brother Joseph, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt!” he told them. ⁵ “But don’t be distressed or angry at yourselves because you sold me here, because God sent me ahead of you all in order to deliver us. ⁶ That’s because this famine has been going on for two years now in this region, and there are still five years left, during which there won’t be any plowing or harvesting. ⁷ God sent me ahead of you to keep you alive on the earth, and to save you all in a magnificent way. ⁸ As a result, it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God himself! He established me as a father-figure to Pharaoh himself! I’m in charge of his entire palace and ruler over the entire land of Egypt.

²⁰ As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive.

²⁵ But when Esther came before the king, he ordered through a letter that the evil plot that Haman had devised against the Jewish people be rescinded, and that he and his sons be hanged on poles.

¹³ Job Stands Petrified Before God“But he is One—who can change him? He does whatever he wants to do.

¹¹ Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes, they will not succeed.

¹⁰ The LORD makes void the counsel of nations; he frustrates the plans of peoples. ¹¹ But the LORD’s counsel stands firm forever, the plans in his mind for all generations.

⁴ They say, “Let us go and erase them as a nation so the name of Israel will not be remembered anymore.”

² The good person will gain favor from the LORD, but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.

¹ Wisdom’s Blessings People do the planning, but the end result is from the LORD.

⁹ A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

¹ Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God A king’s heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.

³⁰ No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

²⁹ I have discovered only this: God made human beings for righteousness, but they seek many alternatives.”

⁶ “Let’s go attack Judah, let’s terrorize it, and let’s conquer it for ourselves. Then we’ll install Tabeel’s son as king!”’
⁷ ‘But this is what the Lord GOD has to say: “‘It won’t take place. It won’t ever happen.

²⁴ The LORD of the Heavenly Armies has sworn: “Surely as I have planned, that’s what she will become; and just as I have determined, so will it remain—

²⁶ “This is what I’ve planned for the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. ²⁷ For the LORD of the Heavenly Armies has planned, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

¹⁰ I declare from the beginning things to follow, and from ancient times things that have not yet been done; saying, ‘My purpose will stand, and he will accomplish everything that I please.’

³⁵ All who live on the earth are nothing compared to him. He does what he wishes with the heavenly armies and with those who live on earth. No one can hold back his power or say to him, ‘What did you do?’

²⁴ He’ll invade the most prosperous areas of the province during a time of tranquility, accomplishing what neither his predecessors nor his ancestors ever could. He’ll distribute war spoils, booty, and wealth to them, and he’ll plot the overthrow of fortresses, though only for a time. ²⁵ He’ll encourage himself against the southern king by raising a large army. As a result, the southern king will mobilize for war with a large and powerful army, but he won’t succeed because they will devise elaborate schemes against him.

⁴ They conspired to arrest Jesus by treachery and to kill him. ⁵ But they kept saying, “This must not happen during the festival. Otherwise, there’ll be a riot among the people.”

⁶³ and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘I will be raised after three days.’ ⁶⁴ Therefore, order the tomb to be secured until the third day, or his disciples may go and steal him and then tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception would be worse than the first one.”

²⁷ For in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate actually met together with unbelievers and the people of Israel to oppose your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, ²⁸ to carry out everything that your hand and will had predetermined to take place.

³⁸ “I’m telling you to keep away from these men for now. Leave them alone, because if this plan or movement is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ However, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them, and you may even discover that you are fighting against God!”
So they were convinced by him.

¹¹ In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do,

¹⁷ In the same way, when God wanted to make the unchangeable character of his purpose perfectly clear to the heirs of his promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by these two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to prove false, we who have taken refuge in him might be encouraged to seize the hope set before us.

⁸ a stone they stumble over and a rock they trip on.”They keep on stumbling because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

⁴ For some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. They were written about long ago as being deserving of this condemnation because they are ungodly. They turn the grace of our God into uncontrollable lust and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus the Messiah.

² To the extent that I have been able to do so, I have provided supplies for the Temple of my God, including gold for what is to be made of gold, silver for what is to be made of silver, bronze for what is to be made of bronze, iron for what is to be made of iron, wood for what is to be made of wood, and great quantities of onyx, precious stones, antimony, colored stones, all types of other semi-precious stones, and plenty of marble.
³ “In addition to everything that I have supplied for the Temple, it pleases me to provide my own treasure of gold and silver, so because of my love for the Temple of my God I hereby give to the Temple of my God the following:

¹⁷ And I know, God, that it is you who searches the heart and you who finds pleasure in righteousness. With a righteous heart I have freely given all these things, and now I have seen all of these people of yours giving freely and joyfully to you!

⁸ The LORD told my father David:‘Therefore, since you determined to build a temple for my name, you acted well, because it was your choice to do so.

¹⁵ But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow.

⁵ Now as for the one who testifies against his friends to take their property, even the eyes of his children will fail.

⁹ Human beings are a mere vapor, while people in high positions are not what they appear. When they are placed on the scales, they weigh nothing; even when weighed together, they are less than nothing.

¹ The Priorities of Life Contrasted A poor man who walks blamelessly is better than a fool who speaks perversely.

⁴¹ The Widow’s Offering
As Jesus sat facing the offering box, he watched how the crowd was dropping their money into it. Many rich people were dropping in large amounts. ⁴² Then a destitute widow came and dropped in two small copper coins, worth about a cent. ⁴³ He called his disciples and told them, “I tell all of you with certainty, this destitute widow has dropped in more than everyone who is contributing to the offering box, ⁴⁴ because all of them contributed out of their surplus, but out of her poverty she has given everything she had to live on.”

⁶ But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me, ⁷ because you’ll always have the destitute with you and can help them whenever you want, but you won’t always have me. ⁸ She has done what she could. She poured perfume on my body in preparation for my burial.

² In spite of their terrible ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and deep poverty have led them to be abundantly generous. ³ I can testify that by their own free will they have given to the utmost of their ability, yes, even beyond their ability.

¹² For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

² which is based on the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are altogether righteous.

¹³ He will experience good things; his descendants will inherit the earth.

¹⁸ Indeed, the LORD watches those who fear him; those who trust in his gracious love ¹⁹ to deliver them from death; to keep them alive in times of famine.

⁹ Fear the LORD, you holy ones of his; for those who fear him lack nothing. ¹⁰ Young lions lack and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will never lack any good thing. ¹¹ Come, children, listen to me, and I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

⁹ Surely, he will soon deliver those who fear him, for his glory will live in our land.

¹⁶ I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him my deliverance.

¹⁷ Yet the LORD’s gracious love remains throughout eternity for those who fear him and his righteous acts extend to their children’s children,

¹⁸ The LORD remains near to all who call out to him, to everyone who calls out to him sincerely. ¹⁹ He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, hearing their cry and saving them. ²⁰ The LORD preserves everyone who loves him, but he will destroy all of the wicked.

²⁷ Fearing the LORD prolongs life, but the wicked will not live long.

²¹ No harm overwhelms the righteous, but the wicked overflow with trouble.

²⁶ Rock-solid security is found in the fear of the LORD, and within it one’s children find refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, enabling anyone to escape the snares of death.

¹⁶ The Repentance of the RighteousThen those who feared the LORD talked with each other. The LORD listened and took note, and a scroll of remembrance was written in his presence about those who fear the LORD and honor His name. ¹⁷ “They’ll be mine,” says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, “in the day when I prepare my treasured possession. I’ll spare them, just as a man spares his own son who serves him.

² But the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in its light for those who fear my name. You will go out and leap like calves released from their stalls

⁶ “How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied!

³¹ So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace. As it continued to be built up and to live in the fear of the Lord, it kept increasing in numbers through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

²⁸ And we know that for those who love God, that is, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things are working together for good.

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in. ¹² I know how to be humble, and I know how to prosper. In each and every situation I have learned the secret of being full and of going hungry, of having too much and of having too little.

⁸ Physical exercise is of limited value, but Godliness is very dear, a pledge of life, both there and here.

⁶ Of course, godliness with contentment does bring a great profit. ⁷ Nothing to this world we bring; from it take we nothing. ⁸ With food to eat and clothes to wear; content we are in everything.
⁹ But people who want to get rich keep toppling into temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them into destruction and ruin.

¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen.

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for God has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” ⁶ Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

¹¹ Why do you not withdraw your hand— your right hand—from your bosom and destroy them?

²⁷ The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted, but diligence is one’s most important possession.

¹⁹ The lifestyle of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, but the path taken by the upright is an open highway.

¹⁵ Laziness puts one to sleep, and an idle person will go hungry.

³⁰ I went by the field belonging to a lazy man, by a vineyard belonging to a senseless person. ³¹ There it was, overgrown with thistles, the ground covered with thorns, its stone wall collapsed. ³² As I observed, I thought about it; I watched, and learned a lesson: ³³ “A little sleep! A little slumber! A little folding of my hands to rest!” ³⁴ Then your poverty will come upon you like a robber, your need like an armed bandit.

¹³ On LazinessThe lazy person claims, “There is a lion in the road! There’s a lion in the streets!” ¹⁴ The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed. ¹⁵ The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he’s too tired to bring it to his mouth again. ¹⁶ The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.

²³ He replied, “The man who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.

²⁰ He told them, “It’s one of you Twelve, the one who is dipping his bread into the bowl with me.

¹¹ Then all Israel will hear about it, be afraid, and won’t do this evil thing again among you.

²¹ Then all the men of his city are to stone him with stones so that he dies. This is how you will remove this evil from among you. Then all Israel will hear of it and will be afraid.”

⁸ Don’t rebuke a mocker or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you. ⁹ Counsel a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will add to his learning. ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is where wisdom begins, and knowing holiness demonstrates understanding.

⁵ A fool rejects his father’s instructions, but anyone who respects reproof acts sensibly.

¹⁰ A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding than a hundred lashes to a fool.

¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹⁹ I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent!

¹⁸ Death to a Rebellious Son“If a man has a stubborn son who does not obey his parents, and although they try to discipline him, he still refuses to pay attention to them, ¹⁹ then his parents are to seize him and bring him before the elders at the gate of his city. ²⁰ Then they are to declare to the elders of their city: ‘Our son is stubborn and rebellious. He does not obey us. He lives wildly and is a drunkard.’ ²¹ Then all the men of his city are to stone him with stones so that he dies. This is how you will remove this evil from among you. Then all Israel will hear of it and will be afraid.”

⁵ Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely, but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.

² A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

²² Listen to the one who fathered you, and don’t despise your mother in her old age. ²³ Purchase truth, but don’t sell it; store up wisdom, instruction, and understanding. ²⁴ The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice; whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him. ²⁵ Let your father and mother rejoice; make the one who gave birth to you happy.

⁷ Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

²⁴ Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, “It’s no sin,” is a companion to someone who demolishes.

¹¹ Some people curse their fathers and won’t bless their mothers.

¹⁷ The eye that mocks a father and looks with a disobedient attitude at a mother— the valley ravens will pluck it out; and vultures will eat it.

¹² The younger one told his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them. ¹³ A few days later, the younger son gathered everything he owned and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted it all on wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went out to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ No one would give him anything, even though he would gladly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating.

³⁰ But this son of yours spent your money on prostitutes, and when he came back, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

¹ Dealing with False Prophets“A prophet or a diviner of dreams may arise among you, give you an omen or a miracle ² that takes place, and then he may tell you, ‘Let’s follow other gods (whom you have not known) and let’s serve them.’ Even though the sign or portent comes to pass, ³ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that diviner of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to make known whether or not you’ll continue to love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. ⁴ You must follow the LORD your God, fear him, observe his commandments, listen to his voice, serve him, and cling to him.

²² “And the LORD asked him, ‘How?’
“‘I will go,’ he announced, ‘and I will be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all of his prophets!’
“So the LORD said, ‘You’re just the one to deceive him. You will be successful. Go and do it.’
²³ “Now therefore, listen! The LORD has placed a lying spirit in the mouth of all of these prophets of yours, because the LORD has determined to bring disaster upon you.”
²⁴ Right then, Chenaanah’s son Zedekiah approached Micaiah and struck him on the cheek. Then he asked him, “How did the Spirit of the LORD move from me to speak to you?”
²⁵ Micaiah replied, “You’ll see how when the day comes that you run away to hide yourself in a closet!”
²⁶ Then the king of Israel ordered, “Take Micaiah and place him in the custody of Amon, the city governor. Hand him over to Joash, the king’s son. ²⁷ Give him this order: ‘Place him in prison on survival rations of bread and water only until I come back safely.’”
²⁸ “If you return alive,” Micaiah responded, “then the LORD has not spoken by me.” Then he added, “Listen, all you people!”

⁷ Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find competent advice.

¹⁵ A Tree is Known by Its Fruit
“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are savage wolves.

⁶ Jesus told them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”

¹² Then they understood that he did not say to beware of the yeast used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

²⁴ He went on to say to them, “Pay attention to what you’re hearing! You will be evaluated by the same standard with which you do your evaluating, and still more will be given to you,

⁶ He told them, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites. As it is written, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ⁷ Their worship of me is worthless, because they teach human rules as doctrines.’
⁸ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
⁹ Then he told them, “You have such a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your own tradition! ¹⁰ Because Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever curses his father or mother must certainly be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or mother, “Whatever support you might have received from me is Corban,”’ (that is, an offering to God) ¹² ‘you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.’ ¹³ You are destroying the word of God through your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other things like that.”
¹⁴ Then he called to the crowd again and told them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand!

⁵ They’ll never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”

¹³ Such people are false apostles, dishonest workers who are masquerading as apostles of the Messiah. ¹⁴ And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their doom will match their deeds!

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed like waves and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, or by clever strategies that would lead us astray.

⁷ Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

³ Rules for Godly LivingIf anyone teaches false doctrine and refuses to agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and godly teaching, ⁴ he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions, ⁵ and incessant conflict between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth. They think that godliness is a way to make a profit.

¹ Warning against False TeachersNow there were false prophets among the people, just as there also will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.

¹ Test What People SayDear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you but does not present his teachings, do not receive him into your house or even welcome him,

² ‘I know what you’ve been doing, your toil, and your endurance. I also know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles, but are not, and have found them to be false.

¹⁰ Seat two wicked men in front of him, and make them testify against him. Tell them to claim ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

¹³ Two wicked men came in, sat down in front of them, and testified against Naboth in public, “Naboth cursed God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

¹⁶ then how much less is one who is abhorred and corrupted, such as a man who drinks injustice like water?”

¹² Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth, though he conceals it under his tongue, ¹³ though he savors it and delays swallowing it so he can taste it again and again in his mouth,

⁷ “What man is like Job, who drinks mockery like water,

⁵ Their ways always seem prosperous. Your judgments are on high, far away from them. They scoff at all their enemies.

¹¹ The wicked say to themselves, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

¹⁴ A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

¹⁴ God’s Precious Cornerstone“Therefore hear the message from the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people that are in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ Because you said: ‘We have entered into a covenant with death, and we have an agreement with Sheol, so when the overwhelming scourge makes its choice, it cannot reach us, since we have made lies our refuge and have concealed ourselves inside falsehood’ ¹⁶ therefore this is what the LORD God says: “Look! I am laying a foundation stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation: Whoever believes firmly will not act hastily. ¹⁷ And I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and floods will overflow your hiding place. ¹⁸ “Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be trampled by it.

⁸ They feed on the sin of my people; they purpose in their heart to transgress.

² He said, “In a city there was a judge who didn’t fear God or respect people. ³ In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while the judge refused. But later, he told himself, ‘I don’t fear God or respect people,

¹¹ So they secretly got some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. Then they rushed at Stephen, grabbed him, and brought him before the Council.
¹³ They had false witnesses stand up and say, “This man never stops saying things against this Holy Place and against the Law.

³⁴ Though God scoffs at scoffers, he gives grace to the humble.

²² All of a sudden he follows her like an ox fit for slaughter or like a fool fit for a trap

¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will assist you. If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

¹³ Wisdom characterizes the speech of the discerning, but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment.

⁶ A fool’s words bring strife, and his mouth invites fighting.

³ A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.

²² But as for you, don’t start mocking, or your chains will become tighter; for I have heard from the LORD of the Heavenly Armies about destruction, and it is decreed against the whole land.

²⁰ For the ruthless will vanish, and mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down—

⁴⁰ So be careful that what the prophets said doesn’t happen to you: ⁴¹ ‘Look, you mockers! Be amazed and die! Since I am performing an action in your days, one that you would not believe even if someone told you!’”

⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he accepts.”

³ First of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us ⁴ by saying, “What happened to the Messiah’s promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately ignore the fact that long ago the heavens existed and the earth was formed by God’s word out of water and with water, ⁶ by which the world at that time was deluged with water and destroyed. ⁷ Now by that same word, the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire and are being kept for the day when ungodly people will be judged and destroyed.