Ecclesiastes 12 Cross References - ISV

¹ Remember Your Creator So remember your Creator during your youth! Otherwise, troublesome days will come and years will creep up on you when you’ll say, “I find no pleasure in them,” ² Otherwise, when the sun, daylight, moon, or stars turn dark, or when clouds fail to return after the rain— ³ when that day comes, the palace guards will tremble, strong men will stoop down, women grinders will cease because they are few, and the sight of those who peer through the lattice will grow dim. ⁴ The doors to the street will be shut when the sound of grinding decreases, when one wakes up at the song of a bird, and all of the singing women are silenced. ⁵ At that time they will fear climbing heights and dangers along the road while the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper is weighed down. Desire will cease, because the person goes to his eternal home, and mourners will gather in the marketplace. ⁶ When the silver cord is severed, the golden vessel is broken, the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, and the wheel is broken at the cistern, ⁷ then man’s dust will go back to the earth, returning to what it was, and the spirit will return to the God who gave it. ⁸ “Utterly pointless,” says the Teacher. “Everything is pointless.”
⁹ ConclusionsMoreover, besides being wise himself, the Teacher taught people what he had learned by listening, making inquiries, and composing many proverbs. ¹⁰ The Teacher searched to find appropriate expressions, and what is written here is right and truthful.
¹¹ Sayings from the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd. ¹² So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body. 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. ¹⁴ For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil.

² But the LORD was with Joseph. He became a very prosperous man while in the house of his Egyptian master,

⁸ But he refused, telling his master’s wife, “Look! My master doesn’t have to worry about anything in the house with me in charge, and he has entrusted everything into my care. ⁹ No one has more authority in this house than I do. He has withheld nothing from me, except you, and that’s because you’re his wife. So how can I commit such a horrible evil? How can I sin against God?”

²³ The prison warden did not have to worry about anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with him. That’s why Joseph prospered in everything he did.

²⁸ Now I’m dedicating him to the LORD, and as long as he lives, he will be dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshipped the LORD there.

¹⁸ Samuel at ShilohNow Samuel was ministering in the LORD’s presence, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.

²⁶ But the boy Samuel continued to grow both physically and in favor with the LORD and the people.

¹⁹ As Samuel grew, the LORD was with him and did not let any of Samuel’s predictions fail. ²⁰ All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as the LORD’s prophet. ²¹ The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because he revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by means of messages from the LORD.

⁷ The LORD told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or his height, for I’ve rejected him. Truly, God does not see what man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

¹² So he sent and brought him. He had a dark, healthy complexion, with beautiful eyes, and he was handsome. The LORD said, “Get up and anoint him, for this is the one.”
¹³ God’s Spirit Comes on David and Departs from SaulThen Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came on David from that day forward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.

³⁶ Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ David continued, “The LORD who delivered me from the power of the lion and the power of the bear will also deliver me from the power of this Philistine.”
Saul told David, “Go! And may the LORD be with you.”

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?

⁶ So Solomon said: “You have demonstrated abundant gracious love to your servant David, my father, as he lived in your presence truthfully, righteously, and uprightly in his heart. In addition, you have kept on showing this abundant gracious love by giving him a son to sit on his throne today. ⁷ Now, LORD my God, you have set me as king to replace my father David, but I’m still young. I don’t have any leadership skills. ⁸ Your servant lives in the midst of your people that you have chosen, a great people that is too numerous to be counted. ⁹ So give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, so I can discern between good and evil. Otherwise, how will I be able to govern this great people of yours?”
¹⁰ The LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, ¹¹ so God told him: “Because you asked for this, and you didn’t ask for a long life for yourself, and you didn’t ask for the lives of your enemies, but instead you’ve asked for discernment so you can understand how to govern, ¹² look how I’m going to do precisely what you asked. I’m giving you a wise and discerning mind, so that there will have been no one like you before you and no one will arise after you like you.

¹³ Everyone in Israel will mourn for him and will bury him, because he alone from Jeroboam’s family will receive a decent burial, because something good was observed in him with respect to the LORD God of Israel out of all the household of Jeroboam!

¹² As soon as I’ve left you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you off to I don’t know where! Then when I go tell Ahab and he can’t find you, he’ll kill me, even though I have been your servant and have feared the LORD since I was young!

² He practiced what the LORD considered to be right, following the example of his ancestor David, turning neither to the right nor to the left. ³ In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to remove the high places, Asherim, carved images, and cast images from Judah and Jerusalem.

² Furthermore, what could I have gained from men whose strength is gone?

⁹ Yet, you are the one who took me from the womb, and kept me safe on my mother’s breasts. ¹⁰ I was dependent on you from birth; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

¹¹ Come, children, listen to me, and I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

¹⁷ God, you taught me from my youth, so I am still declaring your awesome deeds. ¹⁸ Also, when I reach old age and have gray hair, God, do not forsake me, until I have declared your power to this generation and your might to the next one.

¹⁰ We live for 70 years, or 80 years if we’re healthy, yet even in the prime years there are troubles and sorrow. They pass by quickly and we fly away.

¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

⁶ Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.

⁸ Even if a person lives many years, let him enjoy them all, recalling that there will be many days of darkness to come—all of which are pointless.

¹⁰ Banish sorrow from your heart, and evil from your body, since both childhood and the prime of life are pointless.

⁸ Yes, LORD, in the path of your judgments we wait; your name and your Law are the soul’s desire.

²⁷ It is good when a young man carries the yoke of discipline in his youth.

⁸ Daniel Chooses God’s StandardDaniel determined within himself not to become defiled by the king’s menu of rich foods or by the king’s wine, so he requested permission from the chief officer not to defile himself. ⁹ God granted to Daniel grace and compassion on the part of the chief officer.

¹⁷ As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge, aptitude for learning, and wisdom. Daniel also could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.

⁹ Foreigners have consumed his strength, and he hasn’t noticed. Furthermore, his head is sprinkled with gray hair, but he doesn’t realize it.

¹⁵ because he will be great in the Lord’s presence. He will never drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

⁴⁰ Meanwhile, the child continued to grow and to become strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor rested upon him.
⁴¹ Jesus Visits the TempleEvery year Jesus’ parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. ⁴² When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the festival as usual. ⁴³ When the days of the festival were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ They thought that he was in their group of travelers. After traveling for a day, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching desperately for him. ⁴⁶ Three days later, they found him in the Temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and posing questions to them. ⁴⁷ All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers. ⁴⁸ When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!”
⁴⁹ He asked them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he told them. ⁵¹ Then he went back with them, returning to Nazareth and remaining in submission to them. His mother continued to treasure all these things in her heart. ⁵² Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing wiser and more mature, and in favor with God and his fellow man.

¹⁶ Jesus, however, called for the children and said, “Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of God belongs to people like these.

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up by training and instructing them about the Lord.

¹⁵ From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in the Messiah Jesus.

¹ The Theft of Esau’s BlessingEventually, Isaac grew so old that he could not see. One day, he called his eldest son Esau. “My son,” he called out to him.

¹⁰ Now Israel’s eyesight had become poor from age. Because he couldn’t see well, Joseph brought them close to him, and Israel kissed them both and embraced them.

² At that time Eli, whose vision was growing dim, was lying down in his bedroom.

¹⁵ Now Eli was 98 years old, and his vision had failed.

¹⁸ When he mentioned the Ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backwards by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, since he was old and heavy. Eli had judged Israel for 40 years.

⁷ Deep waters call out to what is deeper still; at the roar of your waterfalls all your breakers and your waves swirled over me.

²⁰ God, who can compare to you, who caused me to experience troubles that were numerous and disastrous? You will return to revive me and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ The waters saw you, God; the waters saw you and writhed. Indeed, the depths of the sea quaked.

⁷ Preparing for Old AgeHow sweet is the daylight, and how pleasant it is for someone’s eyes to behold the sunshine! ⁸ Even if a person lives many years, let him enjoy them all, recalling that there will be many days of darkness to come—all of which are pointless.

³⁰ They will roar over it at that time, like the sea waves roar. If one surveys the land, watch out! There’s darkness and distress; even the daylight is darkened by its clouds.

⁷ When I extinguish your lights, I’ll cover the heavens and darken their stars. I’ll cover the sun with a cloud and the moon won’t reflect its light. ⁸ I’ll darken the bright lights in the sky above you and bring darkness to your territory,’ declares the Lord GOD.

¹⁵ Israel Battles Four Giants from Gath
Afterwards, war broke out between the Philistines and Israel, so David went down to fight the Philistines. David became weary, ¹⁶ and Ishbi-benob, who had been fathered by giants, said he intended to kill David. (His bronze spearhead weighed 300 shekels, and he carried state-of-the-art weaponry.) ¹⁷ But Zeruiah’s son Abishai came to David’s aid, attacked the Philistine, and killed him. After this, David’s army told him, “You’re not going out anymore with us to battle, so Israel’s beacon won’t be extinguished!”

⁹ All our days pass away in your wrath; our years fade away and end like a sigh. ¹⁰ We live for 70 years, or 80 years if we’re healthy, yet even in the prime years there are troubles and sorrow. They pass by quickly and we fly away.

²³ He has weakened my strength along the way. He has cut short my days.

⁴ “This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: ‘There will yet be old men and old women sitting in the parks of Jerusalem, each one of them holding canes in their hands due to their old age!

¹⁰ I’ll destroy the sounds of gladness and rejoicing from them, the sounds of the bridegroom and the bride, the sound of the hand mill and also the light of the lamp.

²² The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will never be heard within you again. No artisan of any trade will ever be found within you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard within you again.

³⁸ But Jacob replied, “My son isn’t going back with you, since his brother is dead and he’s the only one left. If something should harm him as you travel, then it’ll be death for me and my sad, gray hair!”

²⁹ If you take this one from me, too, and then something harmful happens to him, then it will be death for me and my sad, gray hair!’

³¹ when he notices that the young man hasn’t come back with us, he’ll die, and your servants really will have brought death to your servant, our father, along with his sad, gray hair!

³ It took 40 days to complete the process, the normal period required for embalming. Meanwhile, the Egyptians mourned for him for 70 days. ⁴ At the conclusion of the mourning period, Joseph addressed Pharaoh’s household. “If you’re satisfied with me, would you please take this message to Pharaoh for me? Tell him, ⁵ ‘My father told me, “Look! I’m about to die. Bury me in my grave that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” So please let me travel to bury my father. I’ll be right back.’”
⁶ “Please go,” Pharaoh replied. “Bury your father, as he asked you to do.”
⁷ Joseph Mourns in CanaanSo Joseph got up and went to bury his father, accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s servants, all of the elders of Egypt, ⁸ all of Joseph’s household, his brothers, and his father’s household. They left behind in the territory of Goshen only their youngest children, their flocks, and their herds. ⁹ Chariots and horsemen also accompanied Joseph, so there were a lot of people. ¹⁰ When they arrived at Atad’s threshing floor, which is located beyond the Jordan River, they held a great and mournful memorial service, during which Joseph spent seven days mourning for his father.

³² “Rise in the presence of the aged and honor the elderly face-to-face.
“Fear your God. I am the LORD.

¹⁰ “We have both the gray-haired and the aged with us, and they are far older than your father.

¹³ “If my hope were that my house is the afterlife itself, if I were to make my bed in darkness,

²³ I know that you’re about to kill me, so I’m about to go to the house that’s appointed for all the living.”

¹⁰ Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others. ¹¹ Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves. ¹² But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. ¹³ This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude ¹⁴ Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home.

¹⁸ Also, when I reach old age and have gray hair, God, do not forsake me, until I have declared your power to this generation and your might to the next one.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength; and the splendor of elders is their gray hair.

¹⁰ Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you’re going.

⁴ Even until your old age, I am the one, and I’ll carry you even until your gray hairs come. It is I who have created, and I who will carry, and it is I who will bear and save.

¹¹ The Visions of the Almond Branch and Boiling PotThis message from the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
I replied, “I see an almond branch.”

¹⁷ A Call to LamentThis is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: “Think about what I’m saying! Indeed, call out the professional mourners! Send for the best of them to come. ¹⁸ Let them hurry and lament for us. Let tears run down from our eyes, and let our eyelids flow with water. ¹⁹ For a sound of mourning is heard from Zion: ‘How we’re ruined! Our shame is very great, because we have left the land, because our houses are torn down.’” ²⁰ “Now, you women, hear the message from the LORD; listen to what he has to say! Teach your daughters how to mourn, let every woman teach her friend how to lament.

³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw mass confusion. People were crying and sobbing loudly. ³⁹ He entered the house and asked them, “Why all this confusion and crying? The child isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.”

²⁷ Indeed, just as people are destined to die once and after that to be judged,

² Then he asked me, “What do you see?”
So I said, “I have been watching—and look!—there is a menorah made completely of gold with a bowl on top of it. And there are seven lights on it, along with seven feeder channels to the lamps, which are also on top of it. ³ Two olive trees are near it, one on the right side of the bowl and one on the left.”

⁷ So the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground, breathed life into his lungs, and the man became a living being.

¹⁹ You will eat food by the sweat of your brow until you’re buried in the ground, because you were taken from it. You’re made from dust and you’ll return to dust.”

²⁷ Abraham answered, “Look, even though I am only dust and ashes, I’ve ventured to speak to my LORD.

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?”

¹⁶ “May the LORD God of the spirits of all living creatures appoint a man over the community

¹⁹ how much less confidence does he have in those who dwell in houses of clay; who were formed from a foundation in dust and can perish like a moth? ²⁰ They are defeated between morning and evening; they perish forever—and no one notices!

²¹ Why haven’t you pardoned my transgression and taken away my iniquity? Now I’m about to lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I won’t be around!”

¹¹ Though his bones were full of youthful vigor; yet they will lie down with him in the dust.

¹⁴ If he were to decide to do so, that is, to take back to himself his spirit and breath of life, ¹⁵ every living thing would die all at once, and mankind would return to dust.”

³ You return people to dust merely by saying, “Return, you mortals!”

⁴ When they stop breathing, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans evaporate!

²⁰ All of them go to one place: all of them originate from dust, and all of them return to dust.
²¹ Who knows whether the spirit of human beings ascends, and whether the spirit of animals descends to the earth?

¹⁶ For I won’t accuse forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the human spirit would grow faint before me— even the souls that I have created.

¹⁶ Then King Zedekiah, in secret, swore an oath to Jeremiah: “As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life to live, I won’t have you put to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking to kill you.”

² Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken—some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

¹ The LORD will Deliver JerusalemA declaration: a message from the LORD to Israel. “The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who frames the spirit of man within himself, declares,

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?

²³ to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of righteous people who have been made perfect,

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.

² “Utterly pointless,” says the Teacher. “Absolutely pointless; everything is pointless.”

¹⁴ I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless—like chasing after the wind.

¹⁷ So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble—it’s all pointless, like chasing after the wind.

⁴ Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

¹² Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them?

⁸ Just as no human being has control over the wind to restrain it, so also no human being has control over the day of his death. Just as no one is discharged during war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

³² Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.

¹² Solomon’s Speech of Dedication
Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he lives shrouded in darkness. ¹³ Now I have been constructing a magnificent Temple dedicated to you that will serve as a place for you to inhabit forever.”
¹⁴ Then the king turned to face the entire congregation of Israel while the congregation of Israel remained standing. ¹⁵ Then Solomon prayed: “Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who made a commitment to my father David and then personally fulfilled what he had promised when he said: ¹⁶ ‘From the day I brought out my people Israel from Egypt I never chose a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple where my name might reside. I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ ¹⁷ “My father David wanted to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, you are not to build the Temple, but your son who will be born to you is to build a temple for my name.’ ²⁰ “The LORD has brought to fulfillment what he promised, and now here I stand, having succeeded my father David to sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the Temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. ²¹ I have placed there the ark in which the covenant is stored that the LORD made with our ancestors when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

⁸ How blessed are your staff! And how blessed are your employees, who serve you continuously and get to listen to your wisdom!

¹ Introduction and PurposeThe proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.

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

¹ More Proverbs from SolomonHere are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

¹ Introduction and PurposeThe proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel. ² These proverbs are for gaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; ³ for acquiring the discipline that produces wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and upright living; ⁴ for giving prudence to the naïve, and knowledge and discretion to the young. ⁵ Let the wise listen and increase their learning; let the person of understanding receive guidance ⁶ in understanding proverbs, clever sayings, words of the wise, and their riddles.

⁶ Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right. ⁷ For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me. ⁸ Everything I have to say is just; there isn’t anything corrupt or perverse in my speech. ⁹ Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge. ¹⁰ Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold,

²³ An appropriate answer brings joy to a person, and a well-timed word is a good thing.

²⁶ To the LORD evil plans are detestable, but pleasant words are pure.

²¹ The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction. ²² Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life, but foolishness brings punishment to fools. ²³ A wise person’s thoughts control his words, and his speech promotes instruction. ²⁴ Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body.

¹⁷ Sayings of the WisePay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching, ¹⁸ for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips. ¹⁹ As a result, your trust will be in the LORD, that’s why I’m teaching you today, even you. ²⁰ Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge, ²¹ to teach you true and reliable advice, so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you?

¹¹ Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time. ¹² Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

¹ The ThemeThe words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

¹² A Testimony to an Unwise SearchI, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

¹ Luke’s Dedication to TheophilusSince many people have attempted to write an orderly account of the events that have transpired among us, ² just as they were passed down to us by those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning, ³ I, too, have carefully investigated everything from the beginning and have decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

¹¹ Truly, I tell you emphatically, we know what we’re talking about, and we testify about what we’ve seen. Yet you people do not accept our testimony.

⁵ based on the hope laid up for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope through the word of truth, the gospel

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance: To this world Messiah came, sinful people to reclaim. I am the worst of them.

²⁴ nevertheless his bow remained steady and his arms kept in shape by the strength of Jacob’s Mighty One, in the name of the Shepherd, Israel’s Rock,

⁸ Though now, for a moment, grace has been shown from the LORD our God, leaving a few survivors to escape, and providing us a secure hold in his Holy Place, so that our God might enlighten us and give us relief from our servitude.

¹ A Davidic Psalm.
The LORD Shepherds His People The LORD is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing.

¹ For the Director of Music: According to “The Lilies”. A testimony of Asaph. A psalm.
A Prayer for Jerusalem Shepherd of Israel, listen! The one who leads Joseph like a flock, the one enthroned on the cherubim, display your glory.

⁶ in understanding proverbs, clever sayings, words of the wise, and their riddles.

¹⁷ Sayings of the WisePay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching,

²³ I’ll set him like a peg into a secure place; he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house.

¹¹ Like a shepherd, he tends his flock. He gathers the lambs in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads the mother sheep.”

²⁹ “My message is like fire or like a hammer that shatters rock, is it not?” declares the LORD.

²³ God’s Shepherd: His Servant David“‘Then I’ll install one shepherd for them—my servant David—and he will feed them, will be there for them, and will serve as their shepherd.

⁷ But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he told them, “You children of serpents! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

¹⁰ Jesus answered him, “You’re the teacher of Israel, and you can’t understand this?

¹⁴ I’m the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

³⁷ When the crowd that had gathered heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments

¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep,

⁴ Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the victor’s crown of glory that will never fade away.

¹⁸ For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief.

²⁹ “Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. They should listen to them!’
³⁰ “But the rich man replied, ‘No, father Abraham! But if someone from the dead went to them, they would repent.’
³¹ “Then Abraham told him, ‘If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even if someone were to rise from the dead.’”

³⁹ You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me.

³¹ But these have been recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that through believing you may have life in his name.

²⁵ Of course, Jesus also did many other things, and I suppose that if every one of them were written down, the world couldn’t contain the books that would be written.

¹⁹ Therefore we regard the message of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp that is shining in a gloomy place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

¹² “Don’t lay your hand on the youth!” he said. “Don’t do anything to him, because I’ve just demonstrated that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only unique one, from me.”

² Do not add or subtract a thing to what I’m commanding you. Observe the commands of the LORD your God.

² so that you, your children, and your grandchildren may fear the LORD your God. Keep all his decrees and commandments that I’m giving you every day of your life, so you may live a long time.

¹² Love the LORD“Now Israel, what does the LORD your God desire from you? Only this: fear him, walk in all his ways, love him, serve him with all your heart and in all your life,

²⁸ He has commanded mankind: ‘To fear the Lord—that is wisdom; to move away from evil—that is understanding.’”

¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; sound understanding belongs to those who practice it. Praise of God endures forever.

¹³ He will bless those who fear the LORD, both the important and the insignificant together. ¹⁴ May the LORD add to your numbers— to you and to your descendants. ¹⁵ May you be blessed by the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.

¹⁹ He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, hearing their cry and saving them.

¹¹ But the LORD is pleased with those who fear him, with those who depend on his gracious love.

⁷ The Major ThemeThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life; whoever is satisfied with it will rest, untouched by evil.

¹⁷ Never let yourself envy sinners; instead, remain in fear of the LORD every day,

³ I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

⁷ In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God.

¹² Even though a sinner does what is wrong a hundred times and still survives, nevertheless I also know that things will go well for those who fear God, who fear in his presence.

⁸ He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the LORD is requiring from you— to act with justice, to treasure the LORD’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.

⁵⁰ His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him.

¹⁷ Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.

⁵ A voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all who serve and fear him, from the least important to the most important.”

¹³ in the LORD’s presence, because he is coming; indeed, he will come to judge the earth. He will judge the world fairly and its people reliably.

¹⁷ I told myself, “God will judge both the righteous and the wicked, because there is a time set to judge every event and every work.”

⁹ So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your world view, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything.

²⁶ Fear God
“So never be afraid of them, because there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be made known.

³⁶ I tell you, on Judgment Day people will give an account for every thoughtless word they have uttered,

³¹ The Judgment of the Nations“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be assembled in front of him, and he will cull them out, one from another, like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, ³⁵ because I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. ³⁶ I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will say to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you something to eat, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or see you naked and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’
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.’
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! ⁴² Here’s why: I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked, and you didn’t clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
⁴⁴ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’
⁴⁵ Then he will say to them, ‘I tell all of you with certainty, since you didn’t do it for one of the least important of these, you didn’t do it for me.’ ⁴⁶ These people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

¹ A Warning against HypocrisyMeanwhile, the people had gathered by the thousands and were trampling on one another. Jesus began to speak first to his disciples. “Watch out for the yeast—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees! ² There is nothing covered up that won’t be exposed and nothing secret that won’t be made known.

²⁹ and will come out—those who have done what is good to the resurrection that leads to life, and those who have practiced what is evil to the resurrection that ends in condemnation.

³⁰ Though God has overlooked those times of ignorance, he now commands everyone everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world with justice through a man whom he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

¹⁶ on that day when God, through Jesus the Messiah, will judge people’s secrets according to my gospel.

¹⁰ Why, then, do you criticize your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For all of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written, “As certainly as I live, declares the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will praise God.”
¹² Consequently, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

⁵ Therefore, stop judging prematurely, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God.

¹⁰ For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless.

¹¹ The Vision of the White Throne JudgmentThen I saw a large, white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. ¹² I saw the dead, both unimportant and important, standing in front of the throne, and books were open. Another book was opened—the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to their actions, as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to their actions. ¹⁴ Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. (This is the second death—the lake of fire.) ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.