Proverbs 4 Cross References - MSB

¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. ² For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. ³ When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, ⁴ he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. ⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. ⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. ⁷ Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. ⁸ Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. ⁹ She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” ¹⁰ Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. ¹¹ I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. ¹² When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble. ¹³ Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life. ¹⁴ Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. ¹⁵ Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. ¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall. ¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. ¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. ¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. ²⁰ My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. ²¹ Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. ²² For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. ²³ Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. ²⁴ Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. ²⁵ Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. ²⁶ Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. ²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

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

⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

¹ My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, ² if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, ³ if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, ⁵ then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

¹ My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,

²⁰ My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. ²¹ Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. ²² When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. ²³ For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,

⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

³² Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. ³³ Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. ³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. ³⁶ But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

²⁰ Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

¹⁷ Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—

¹¹ For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— ¹² encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

¹ We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

² Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.

⁹ As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

¹⁹ But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,

⁴ You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

³ My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

¹ For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world, ² both low and high, rich and poor alike. ³ My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.

³⁰ If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, ³¹ if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments, ³² I will attend to their transgression with the rod, and to their iniquity with stripes.

⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. ⁷ For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. ⁹ They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, ²¹ to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

¹⁶ “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. ¹⁷ If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.

⁶ By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.

⁹ He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

²⁴ Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child ²⁵ and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.

¹³ Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ¹⁴ Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.” ¹⁵ So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him. ¹⁶ And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” ¹⁷ “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

⁵ and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.

⁵ And David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent—famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore I must make preparations for it.” So David made lavish preparations before his death.

¹ Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

²³ I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

¹⁰ Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.

¹⁹ For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

³ You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs. ⁴ You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God. ⁵ Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.

⁹ Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

⁶ These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.

¹¹ Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would. ¹² Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. ¹³ Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. ¹⁴ Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD—100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them. ¹⁵ You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work— ¹⁶ in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”

¹¹ I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

² Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

³ Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

⁵⁰ And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

¹⁵ From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

⁹ And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

² And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

¹¹ My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

¹⁸ Our hearts have not turned back; our steps have not strayed from Your path.

⁵¹ The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.

¹⁵⁷ Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies.

²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? ²³ If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

² if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, ³ if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

⁵ O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁶ Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

¹ He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

⁸ He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

²³ Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. ¹¹ Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, ¹² to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,

²¹ Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. ²² For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁰ and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

¹⁶ Do not be amazed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. ¹⁷ For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. ¹⁸ Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper— ¹⁹ he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. ²⁰ A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

⁶ Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

⁴ I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. ⁵ I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees. ⁶ I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees. ⁷ I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me, ⁸ and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines. ⁹ So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

⁸ There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

¹² For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

¹⁶ And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” ¹⁷ The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

⁴⁴ Again the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. ⁴⁵ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

³⁶ What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul? ³⁷ Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

⁴² But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

²⁰ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

⁸ More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

³⁰ Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

⁵ One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” ⁶ Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. ⁷ And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. ⁹ Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” ¹⁰ Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ¹² behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.

⁴ The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.

³ Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

⁹ For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.

²² They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

⁵ On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a crown of glory, a diadem of splendor to the remnant of His people,

⁹ Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

⁷ You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, ⁸ and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. ⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

⁴ but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

²¹ To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

¹⁶ Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

² so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged.

²² Receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.

¹ My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,

² for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁰ Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

²⁰ Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.

³² He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. ³³ Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful.

¹³ And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

⁵ See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.

²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way. ²⁴ Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.

³ He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

⁴ Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. ⁵ Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

⁴ he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

⁹ They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

⁹ Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.

¹⁰ and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

³⁷ You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.

⁷ His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up. ⁸ For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.

³⁶ You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.

¹¹ For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. ¹² They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹⁶⁵ Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.

²³ Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

²² When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

⁹ They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world. ¹⁰ But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”

³² Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³ as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

⁸ and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

¹⁰ Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. ¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

⁴⁷ For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

⁴ I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. ²⁸ As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. ²⁹ But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.

³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed because of His message. ⁴² They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

⁶⁸ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

²³ When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.

²¹ but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

¹³ I know your works and where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the day when My faithful witness Antipas was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

¹¹ They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

⁴ I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. ⁵ I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.

¹⁵ my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.

⁶ Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”

²⁰ He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

³³ Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

⁷ Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.

¹⁴ if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

²³ If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. If you remove injustice from your tents

⁸ Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,

⁵ Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

¹⁵ He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—

¹¹ Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

²² Abstain from every form of evil.

⁴ Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.

¹⁶ For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.

²⁰ But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.

¹ Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.

⁶⁶ At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,

²⁸ Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

¹⁴ Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.

⁵ Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children. ⁶ They gather fodder in the fields and glean the vineyards of the wicked.

⁴ Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD.

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.

²⁶ For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. ²⁷ Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. ²⁸ They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

²⁵ The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. ²⁶ Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. ²⁷ Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. ²⁸ Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. ²⁹ The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.

⁴ Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, ⁵ asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. ⁶ Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”

⁵ This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

¹² For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

³ Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.

¹³ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

⁴ Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. ⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts as in the day of slaughter.

⁴ is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

¹⁷ Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

¹⁰ Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

⁷ They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.

⁷ The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.

³ So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

⁶ On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. ⁷ It will be a day known only to the LORD, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light.

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

¹² Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

¹⁸ And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

¹⁹ We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.

⁵ There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

⁹ He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.

¹⁴ They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.

²⁵ They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.

⁵ Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. ⁶ The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.

¹⁸ He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.

¹³ from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,

⁹ Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. ¹⁰ Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.

¹⁶ Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.

¹² “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

¹⁴ Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

¹⁰ But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”

³⁵ Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

¹ A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.

¹² So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

²⁰ My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. ²¹ Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.

¹ My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.

⁵ While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

⁸ I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

³ Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

²¹ My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

¹ My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. ² Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

⁸ This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

¹⁰ Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

¹⁸ Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

⁶ Nevertheless, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal its people and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

⁷ Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

¹⁶ A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

³ He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

⁵ Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

¹⁹ Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.

²⁶ He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

¹³ There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

²¹ For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, adultery, sexual immorality, murder, theft, ²² greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. ²³ All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

³⁸ Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

⁴⁵ The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

¹⁴ But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. ¹⁵ Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹² A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,

⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.

¹³ To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

²⁰ The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

³¹ Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. ²⁹ Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.

⁸ But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

⁵ and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

²⁶ If anyone among you considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

¹ Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

¹ “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

⁵ When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

³³ Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities.

²² The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

²³ The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

² He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.

⁵ Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

⁵⁹ I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.

⁶ She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.

²¹ For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.

²⁸ Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.

⁵ Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.

⁷ This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

¹³ so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

³ But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

¹³ Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

¹⁰ And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

³² So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.

³² See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.

¹⁴ Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.

⁷ Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

¹⁶ Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!

⁹ Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.