Proverbs 21 Cross References - NSB

¹ Jehovah controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream. He turns it where ever he wishes. ² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah measures the hearts. ³ To practice righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. ⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart, and the arrogance and pride produced by the wicked are sin. ⁵ The ideas of the diligent tend only to abundance. But of the one who is hasty it leads to poverty. ⁶ Wealth acquired by lying is fleeting vapor and a deadly pursuit. ⁷ The violence done by the wicked will destroy them because they refuse to do what is right. ⁸ The guilty travel a crooked path. The pure walk on a straight road. ⁹ It is better to dwell on the corner of the roof than to share the house with a contentious (combative) woman. ¹⁰ The wicked person desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. ¹¹ When the scoffer is punished the simple (naïve) is made wise. When the wise is instructed he gains knowledge. ¹² The righteous considers the house of the wicked but overthrows the wicked to their ruin. ¹³ Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry, but will not be heard. ¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger. A bribe behind the back provokes strong anger. ¹⁵ It is joy to the righteous to do justice. Destruction will come to those who do evil. ¹⁶ The man who wanders from the way of understanding will remain in the congregation of the dead. ¹⁷ He that loves pleasure will be poor. He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. ¹⁸ The wicked are a ransom for the righteous and the unfaithful for the upright. ¹⁹ It is better to dwell alone in the wilderness than with an angry contentious (quarreling and angry) woman. ²⁰ The wise have wealth and luxury but a fool spends all he gets. ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and love find life, prosperity and honor. ²² A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. ²³ He who guards his mouth and holds his tongue stays out of trouble. ²⁴ »Proud and haughty mocker« is his name. He acts with overbearing pride. ²⁵ The desire of the lazy killed him for his hands refuse to work. ²⁶ He coveted greedily all the daylong, but the righteous gives and does not spare. ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination! How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind? ²⁸ A false witness will perish, but the man who hears the truth will speak forever. ²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face. The upright proceeds with care. ³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah! ³¹ The horse has prepared the day of battle. However, deliverance is from Jehovah.

⁵ Jehovah saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become. Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ Jehovah was grieved that he had made man on the earth. His heart was grieved with pain.

¹² God saw how corrupt the earth had become. All the people on earth had corrupted their ways.

²⁹ When God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living, he kept Abraham in mind and allowed Lot to escape to safety.

²⁰ »Be sure to say, ‘Jacob is right behind us.’« He thought: »I will make peace with him by giving him this gift that I am sending ahead of me. After that, I will see him, and he will welcome me back.«

¹¹ Their father Israel said: »If that is the way it has to be, then take the man a gift. Put some of the best products of the land in your bags. Take a little balm, a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.

¹ »Do not spread false rumors. Do not help a guilty person by offering false testimony.

³⁴ All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also.

¹¹ »All Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.

⁷ »This is what you must do whenever there are poor Israelites in one of your cities in the land that Jehovah your God is giving you. ⁸ »Be generous to these poor people. Freely lend them as much as they need. Never be hardhearted and stingy with them. ⁹ »When the seventh year, the year when payments on debts are canceled, is near, you might be stingy toward poor Israelites and give them nothing. Be careful not to think these worthless thoughts. The poor will complain to Jehovah about you, and you will be condemned for your sin. ¹⁰ »Give the poor what they need, because then Jehovah will make you successful in everything you do. ¹¹ »There will always be some Israelites who are poor and needy. That is why I am commanding you to be generous with them.

²¹ »All the men of his city shall stone him to death. In that way you will remove the evil from your midst. All Israel will hear about it and fear.

¹⁶ »This is what you must do whenever a witness takes the stand to accuse a person falsely of a crime. ¹⁷ »The two people involved must stand in Jehovah’s presence, in front of the priests and judges who are serving at that time. ¹⁸ »The judges must make a thorough investigation. If it is found that the witness lied when he testified against the other Israelite, ¹⁹ do to him what he planned to do to the other person. Get rid of this evil.

¹² »So I thought the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal. I have not sought Jehovah’s favor. I felt pressured into sacrificing the burnt offering.« ¹³ »You did a foolish thing,« Samuel told Saul. »You did not follow the command of Jehovah your God. If you had, Jehovah would have established your kingdom over Israel from generation to generation (for a very long time).

²¹ The people took from the plunder of the flock the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to Jehovah your God in Gilgal. ²² Samuel said: »What is more pleasing to Jehovah, burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obeying is better than sacrifice. To pay attention is better than the fat of rams.

²² Samuel said: »What is more pleasing to Jehovah, burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obeying is better than sacrifice. To pay attention is better than the fat of rams. ²³ »The sin of divination is rebellion. Wickedness and idolatry are arrogance. They are evil. Because you rejected the word of Jehovah, he rejects you as king.«

⁷ But Jehovah said to Samuel: »Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature. I have rejected him. God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance. Jehovah looks at the heart (inner man).«

⁸ »‘Ask your shepherds. They will tell you the same thing. My servants are your servants. You are like a father to me. This is a day for celebrating. Please be kind and share some of your food with us.’« ⁹ David’s men went to Nabal and gave him David’s message. They waited for Nabal’s answer. ¹⁰ This is what he said: »Who does this David think he is? That son of Jesse is just one more slave on the run from his master. There are too many of them now days. ¹¹ »What makes you think I would give you the bread and water, and the meat that I cooked for my own servants? I do not even know where you are from.«

³⁵ Then David accepted what she brought him. He said: »Go home in peace. I have listened to what you said and I grant your request.«

⁶ The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived in that region. The Jebusites told David: »You will never get in here. Even the blind and the lame could turn you away. In other words he could not enter there.« ⁷ However, David captured the fortress Zion, that is, the City of David. ⁸ That day David said: »Whoever wants to defeat the Jebusites must reach the lame and the blind that hate me by using the water tunnel.« So there is a saying: »The blind and the lame will not get into the palace.« ⁹ David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built the city of Jerusalem around it from the stronghold (citadel) to the palace.

¹⁶ A wise woman shouted from the top of the wall: »Hear this! Listen to me! I must talk to Joab! Tell him to come here!« ¹⁷ He came near. She asked: »Are you Joab?« »I am,« He answered. »Listen to what I have to say,« She told him. »I am listening,« He answered. ¹⁸ She said: »There is an old saying: ‘Be sure to seek guidance from Abel before doing anything.’ That is the way they settle disputes. ¹⁹ »We are peaceful and faithful Israelites. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel? Why should you swallow up what belongs to Jehovah?’« ²⁰ Joab answered: »That is unthinkable! I do not wish to swallow it up or destroy it. ²¹ »That is not so. A man from the mountains of Ephraim by the name of Sheba son of Bichri has rebelled against King David. Give him to me and I will withdraw from the city.« The woman told Joab: »Watch, for his head will be thrown to you from the wall.« ²² She went to the people of the city with her plan. They cut off Sheba’s head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to leave the city. They went back home. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

²² They joyfully kept the feast of unleavened bread for seven days. Jehovah filled them with joy by turning the heart of the king of Assyria to them to give them help in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

¹¹ »O Jehovah, let your ear take note of the prayer of your servant. Of the prayers of all your servants, who take delight in worshipping your name: give help, O Jehovah, to your servant this day, and let him have mercy in the eyes of this man.« Now I was the king's wine-servant.

⁴ The king asked: »What is your desire?« So I made prayer to the God of heaven.

²⁷ Praise be to Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing into the heart of the king, to make fair the house of Jehovah that is in Jerusalem. ²⁸ He has given mercy to me before the king and his government and before all the king's great captains. I was made strong by the hand of Jehovah my God which was on me, and I got together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

¹ Then there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their countrymen the Jews. ² Some said: »We with our sons and our daughters are a great number. Let us get grain, so that we may have food for our needs.« ³ There were some who said: »We are giving our fields and our vine-gardens and our houses for debt. Let us get grain because we are in need.« ⁴ Yet others said: »We have given up our fields and our vine-gardens to get money for the king's taxes. ⁵ »But our flesh is the same as the flesh of our countrymen, and our children as their children. Now we give our sons and daughters into the hands of others, to be their servants. Some of our daughters are servants even now. We have no power to stop this. For other men have our fields and our vine-gardens.«

¹³ Shaking out the folds of my robe, I said: »So, may God send out from his house and his work every man who does not keep this agreement. Even so let him be sent out and made as nothing.« All the people said: »Amen!« They praised Jehovah. The people did as they said.

⁵ Haman saw that Mordecai did not go before him and give him honor. Haman was very angry. ⁶ But it was not enough for him to attack Mordecai only. They made clear to him who Mordecai's people were. So Haman made it his purpose to put an end to all the Jews, even Mordecai's people, through all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.

³ »I have seen a stubborn fool take root and I quickly cursed his house.

¹⁵ »He leans on his web, but it gives way! He clings to it, but it does not hold.

¹⁴ »What is man, that he could be pure? Or he who is born of woman, that he could be righteous? ¹⁵ »If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, ¹⁶ how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!

¹⁵ »He will spit out the riches he swallowed. God will make his stomach vomit them up.

¹⁸ »What he toiled for he must give back uneaten. He will not enjoy the profit from his trading.

²⁸ »For you say: ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’ ²⁹ »Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony. ³⁰ »They say the wicked are spared in the day of calamity, and are rescued in the day of wrath?

¹⁴ »He is torn from the security of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors. ¹⁵ »Fire resides in his tent; burning sulfur is scattered over his dwelling. ¹⁶ »His roots dry up below and his branches wither above. ¹⁷ »The memory of him perishes from the earth. He has no name in the street. ¹⁸ »He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world. ¹⁹ »He has no offspring or descendants among his people, no survivor where once he lived. ²⁰ »Men of the west are appalled at him. Men of the east are seized with horror. ²¹ »This is the dwelling of an evil man! This is the place of one who does not know God!«

¹² »This is because I delivered the poor who cried, and the orphan who had no helper. ¹³ »The blessing of the wretched came upon me. I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴ »I put on righteousness and it clothed me. My justice was like a robe and a turban. ¹⁵ »I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. ¹⁶ »I was a father to the needy! I championed the cause of the stranger. ¹⁷ »I broke the fangs of the unrighteous. I made them drop their prey from their teeth.

¹⁶ Their mischief returns upon their own heads. Their violence descends on their own heads.

¹⁶ Jehovah has revealed himself by his righteous judgments. The wicked are trapped by their deeds.

⁴ In his arrogant attitude he does not search for God. His faulty reasoning concludes: »There is no God.«

¹³ »Here is the fate God accords the wicked. This is the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty: ¹⁴ »No mater how many his children, their fate is the sword. His offspring will never have enough to eat. ¹⁵ »The plague will bury those who survive him. Their widows will not weep for them. ¹⁶ »Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay, ¹⁷ what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver. ¹⁸ »The house he builds is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut made by a watchman. ¹⁹ »He lies down wealthy and wakes up and all is gone. ²⁰ Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest snatches him away in the night. ²¹ »The east wind carries him off. He is gone and it sweeps him out of his place. ²² »It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power. ²³ »Men will clap their hands in derision (ridicule) and hiss him out of his place.

¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful mockers.

³ You, O Jehovah, are a protective shield over me. You are my glory. You hold my head high.

⁸ Salvation belongs to Jehovah! You bless your people.

² Jehovah looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, if there is anyone who seeks help from God. ³ Everyone has turned away. Together they have become rotten to the core. No one, not even one person, does good things.

⁴¹ They cried out for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried out to Jehovah, but he did not answer them.

⁷ Some boast in chariots and others in horses, but we will boast in the name of Jehovah our God.

¹⁷ A horse is a false hope for victory. It does not deliver anyone by its great strength. ¹⁸ Remember, the eye of Jehovah is on those who respect him, on those who hope for his loving-kindness.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

² He flatters himself and does not hate or even recognize his sin.

⁴ He plans wickedness upon his bed. He walks on a path that is not good. He does not despise evil.

¹⁴ Like sheep, they are laid in the grave. Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes.

⁴ Their poison is like the poison of a snake. It is like a deaf cobra that stops its ear.

²⁰ Our God is the God of deliverance. Jehovah of Hosts is our escape from death.

¹⁵ You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.

²⁶ He is always generous and lends freely. His descendants are a blessing.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked, violent man spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil. ³⁶ Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more. I searched for him, but he could not be found.

⁸ »I am pleased to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.

⁸ »I do not reprove you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are constantly (always) in front of me.

⁸ »I do not reprove you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are constantly (always) in front of me. ⁹ »But I will not accept another young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens. ¹⁰ »Every living thing in the forest, even the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine. ¹¹ »I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine. ¹² »If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that it contains are mine. ¹³ »Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of male goats?

² Your tongue makes up wickedness. It is like a sharp razor, you master of deceit. ³ You prefer evil to good. You prefer lying to speaking the truth.

⁵ God will destroy you forever. He will remove you from your dwelling place from out of the land of the living.

⁶ I said: If only I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and find rest. ⁷ I would run far away. I would stay in the desert.

⁷ But God will shoot his arrows and quickly wound them. ⁸ They will be destroyed by their own words, and everyone who sees them will tremble with fear. ⁹ They will be afraid and say: Look at what God has done and remember it.

⁴ Jehovah on high is mightier than the noise of many waters. Yes he is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea.

²⁵ He changed their minds so that they hated his people, and they dealt treacherously with his servants.

⁴⁶ He let them find compassion from all those who held them captive.

⁴³ Let those who think they are wise pay attention to these things so they will understand the loving kindness of Jehovah.

¹ Praise Jehovah! Blessed is the person who respects Jehovah and is happy to obey his commandments.

³ Wealth and riches will be in his home. His righteousness continues forever.

⁵ All goes well for the person who is generous and lends willingly. He earns an honest living.

⁵ Oh that my ways may be established to keep your statutes!

¹⁶ I shall delight in your statutes. I shall not forget your word!

⁵ How horrible it is to live as a foreigner in Meshech or to stay in the tents of Kedar.

⁹ He gives freely to poor. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.

³ The Red Sea looked at this and ran away. The Jordan River turned back.

⁵ Red Sea, why did you run away? Jordan River, what made you turn back?

⁵⁹ I considered my ways and turned my feet to your laws.

⁹² If your law had not been my delight I would have perished in my affliction.

⁶ I have lived too long with those who hate peace.

⁵ Jehovah will lead those who turn away from their crooked ways with the workers of iniquity. Israel will have peace.

¹⁰ You give salvation to kings. You rescue David your servant from the evil sword.

¹⁸ They lie in wait for their own blood (murder). They set an ambush for their own lives. ¹⁹ So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust dishonest gain. Greed takes away the life of its owner.

²² »How long, you simple (stupid) (foolish) ones, will you love simplicity (foolishness) (stupidity)? The scoffers delight in scoffing. Fools hate knowledge!

²⁸ »You will ask for my help, but I will not listen. You will search, but you will not find me.

¹⁵ The wicked are crooked. They are devious in their ways.

¹⁸ If you go to her house, you are traveling the road to death. To go there is to approach the dead. ¹⁹ No one who visits her ever comes back. He cannot return to the road to life.

²⁹ Do not plan anything that will hurt your neighbors. They live beside you, trusting you.

¹⁰ Strangers will be filled with your financial strength. Strangers will benefit from your hard work. ¹¹ You mourn at last, when your flesh and your body are consumed.

²⁰ Why will you be intimate with an immoral woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

⁶ Go to the ant, you lazy person. Consider her ways and be wise! ⁷ The lowly ant has no guide or overseer. ⁸ It prepares its food in the summer and gathers food at the harvest.

³⁶ »But he who sins against me wrongs himself. All who hate me love death.«

⁹ Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning (insight).

¹⁸ He does not know the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

² Treasures of wickedness (the morally wrong) profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

⁴ He becomes poor who deals with a lazy hand. The hand of the diligent makes rich.

⁶ Blessings cover the head of the righteous. Violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

¹⁹ Sin does not hide from a multitude of words. The wise controls his lips.

²² The blessing of Jehovah makes rich and he adds no grief to it.

¹⁰ He finds no joy in strong horses, nor do brave soldiers please him.

⁵ A wise man will hear and will increase learning. A man of understanding will procure wise counsel.

⁹ How long will you sleep, O lazy person? When will you arise from your sleep? ¹⁰ »A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest. ¹¹ Your poverty comes like a traveler. Your need comes like an armed man.

¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁹ A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brothers.

²⁶ She has wounded many. Many strong men have been slain by her. ²⁷ Her house is the way to the grave, going down to the chambers of death.

¹³ »Respect for Jehovah means to hate evil. I hate: pride, and arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

²⁹ The way of Jehovah is a rock (stronghold) to the upright. The workers of iniquity will be destroyed.

³ The integrity of the upright will guide them. The perverseness of transgressors will destroy them. ⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath. Righteousness delivers from death. ⁵ Righteousness of the undefiled [man of integrity] directs his way! Wickedness causes the evil to fall.

⁵ Righteousness of the undefiled [man of integrity] directs his way! Wickedness causes the evil to fall.

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble. The wicked goes in his place.

⁴ A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband. She who acts shameful is rottenness in his bones.

¹² The wicked desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. ¹³ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips. The righteous will depart from trouble.

¹⁹ The lip of truth will be established forever. A lying tongue is only for a moment.

²⁴ The hand of the diligent will bear rule. The lazy will be under forced labor.

²⁷ The lazy man does not cook what he took in hunting. The substance of a diligent man is precious.

³ He who keeps his mouth (watches what he says) keeps his life. He who opens wide his lips (speaks thoughtlessly) will have destruction. ⁴ The lazy man desires and has nothing. The diligent man will be made rich.

⁶ Righteousness keeps the upright in the way. Wickedness subverts the sinner.

¹¹ Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished. He who gathers by labor will increase.

²⁰ The one who walks with wise men will be wise. A companion of fools will be destroyed.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be overthrown. But the tabernacle of the upright will flourish.

²⁹ He who is slow to anger has great understanding. He who is short tempered exalts foolishness.

³² The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.

⁶ There is treasure in the house of the righteous. The earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah! The prayer of the upright is his delight. ⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah. He loves the one who follows after righteousness.

²³ A wicked man takes a bribe to pervert the ways of judgment.

²⁷ The man with knowledge restrains his words. A man of understanding has a quiet spirit. ²⁸ Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise! He who shuts his mouth is esteemed a man of understanding.

¹ A man of solitude (who keeps to himself) (isolates himself) seeks his own (selfish) desire. He objects to sound wisdom.

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is prideful. Humility comes before honor and glory.

¹⁵ The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge. The ear of the wise one searches for knowledge. ¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Those who love it will eat the fruit.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished. The liar will not escape. ⁶ Many ask favors of the prince. Every man is a friend of a person who gives gifts.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished and the liar will perish.

¹³ A foolish son is a disgrace to his father. A contentious wife is like drips from a leaky roof.

²¹ Many intentions are in men’s hearts. Only counsel from Jehovah will stand.

²⁴ A lazy man hides his hand in the dish and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. ²⁵ Strike a scoffer and the simple will be wary. Reprove someone who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

²⁹ Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the back of fools.

⁴ The lazy man will not plow because of the cold. He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

⁶ Most men proclaim their own loyalty; but who can find a trustworthy man?

¹⁴ »Good for nothing,« cries the buyer. But when he goes his way he boasts about the purchase.

²¹ An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but in the end it will not be blessed.

²⁴ Jehovah directs man’s steps. How can man understand his own way?

⁹ It is better to dwell on the corner of the roof than to share the house with a contentious (combative) woman.

¹² The righteous considers the house of the wicked but overthrows the wicked to their ruin. ¹³ Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry, but will not be heard.

¹⁹ It is better to dwell alone in the wilderness than with an angry contentious (quarreling and angry) woman. ²⁰ The wise have wealth and luxury but a fool spends all he gets. ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and love find life, prosperity and honor.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination! How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?

¹² You may say: »We did not know this,« but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you and knows. He will reward each man according to his deeds.

³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding. ³¹ It was all grown over with thorns and nettles, and the wall of stone was broken down. ³² Then I saw, and considered it well. I looked on it, and received instruction: ³³ »Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.« ³⁴ Your poverty will come like a robber and your want like an armed man.

¹⁸ A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share the house with a contentious woman.

¹⁴ The heart of one with understanding seeks knowledge. The mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

¹⁷ Better is a bowel of soup where there is love, than a steak with someone you hate.

¹⁹ The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns. But the way of the righteous is a wide path.

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to Jehovah. The words of the pure are pleasant words.

¹ Preparations of the heart and the answer of the tongue, is from Jehovah. ² All the ways of a man are pure (clean) in his own eyes. But Jehovah weighs the motives.

⁹ A man's heart determines his way. Jehovah directs his steps.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death!

¹ Better is dry bread in peace than a house full of feasting with discord.

⁸ A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes its owner. He prospers in everything he does.

⁴ Respect for Jehovah and humility bring riches and honor and life.

⁸ He who sows unrighteousness will reap vanity. The rod of his anger will fail.

¹³ The lazy man says: »There is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets.«

²² Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate. ²³ Jehovah will plead their cause and take the life of those who rob them.

²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

⁵ A wise man is strong. A man of knowledge increases strength.

¹³ The lazy man says: »There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.«

¹⁶ The lazy man is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can answer with good sense.

¹⁵ Continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ¹⁶ Trying to stop her is like trying to stop the wind, or holding something with greased hands.

²³ Be diligent to know the state of your flocks and attend to your herds. ²⁴ Riches are not forever: and a crown does not endure for every generation. ²⁵ The hay appears and the tender grass shows itself. Herbs of the mountains are gathered. ²⁶ The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats bring the price of the field. ²⁷ You will have enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance for your maidservants.

⁹ The prayer of the person who will not listen to the law is disgusting.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man reverencing God. He who hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

²² He who hurries to be rich has an evil eye. He does not think poverty will come to him.

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will not lack. But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

¹ He who is often reprimanded and hardens his neck will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

⁸ Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food necessary for me.

¹² There is a generation pure in their own eyes, and yet not washed from their filthiness. ¹³ There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.

¹² I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice and to do good works in life.

¹⁹ For every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has empowered him to eat because of them. He should receive his reward and rejoice in his labor. This is the gift of God.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹ Do not be quick in your spirit (mind) (figurative heart) to be angry. Anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹¹ Wisdom is good as an inheritance: It is an advantage to those who see the sun.

¹⁹ Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.

²⁹ »You see! I have found only this, that God made man upright. But they have sought out many devices (schemes) (reasonings).«

³ This evil is in all things that are done under the sun. There is one event that comes to all. The heart of the sons of men is full of evil. Madness is in their heart while they live. After that they go to the dead (die).

¹¹ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift. The battle is not to the strong. Bread does not go to the wise, or riches to men of understanding. Men of skill do not always receive favor, but time and unexpected circumstance happens to them all.

¹³ I have seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed important to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with a small population. A great king moved against it. He built great bulwarks against it and attacked it. ¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor wise man. By his wisdom he delivered the city. Yet no man remembered that same poor man. ¹⁶ Then I said: »Wisdom is better than strength.« Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. ¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in quietness are more than the loud cry of the ruler of fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, yet one sinner destroys much good.

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter and wine makes merry, but money answers all things.

¹¹ The arrogant people will be humbled. High and mighty people will be brought down. On that day Jehovah alone will be exalted.

¹⁷ Then arrogant people will be brought down. High and mighty people will be humiliated. On that day Jehovah alone will be honored.

¹⁶ Jehovah also said: »Because the daughters of Zion are proud and walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps and tinkle the bangles on their feet,

⁵ »‘Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin. They say: ⁶ »‘»Let us invade Judah. Let us tear it apart and divide it among us. Let us make the son of Tabeel king over Judah.« ⁷ »‘This is what the Lord Jehovah says: »It will not take place! It will not happen!

⁹ Be broken, you people. Be terrified. Listen all you distant parts of the earth. Prepare for battle and be terrified. Prepare for battle and be terrified! ¹⁰ Make plans for battle, but they will never succeed. Give orders, but they will not be carried out, because God is with us!

²⁷ Jehovah of Hosts is determined to do this. He has stretched out his arm to punish, and no one can stop him.

⁶ We have heard of the pride of Moab and of his arrogance. We know of his pride, conceit and empty boasting.

¹ How horrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help! Cursed are those who rely on very strong warhorses, who depend on many chariots. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel. They do not seek Jehovah.

⁶ A fool speaks foolishly and thinks up evil things to do. He promotes wickedness and what he says insults Jehovah. He never feeds the hungry or gives thirsty people anything to drink. ⁷ As for a rogue, his weapons are evil. He devises wicked schemes to destroy the afflicted with slander, even though the needy one speaks what is right. ⁸ But the noble man devises noble plans. He stands firm for what is honorable.

¹¹ Jehovah says: »What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I have had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.

¹¹ Jehovah says: »What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I have had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. ¹² »Who requires you to trample on my courtyards when you appear in my presence?

¹² »Who requires you to trample on my courtyards when you appear in my presence? ¹³ »Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!

¹³ »Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies! ¹⁴ »I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They are a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them.

¹⁴ »I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They are a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them. ¹⁵ »When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood.

¹⁵ »When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood. ¹⁶ »Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil.

¹⁶ »Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil. ¹⁷ »Learn to do good (well) (right). Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.«

²³ Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They do not listen to the widows' pleas. ²⁴ That is why Jehovah, Jehovah of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says: »How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies.

³ »I AM JEHOVAH YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, YOUR SAVIOR. Egypt is the ransom I exchanged for you. Sudan and Seba are the price I paid for you. ⁴ »I honor you because you are precious to me and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life.

¹⁹ »I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Do you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.

¹ »Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek Jehovah. Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug out.

⁴ He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. We considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions! He was crushed for our iniquities! The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. There has been healing for us because of his wounds.

⁸ »My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,« declares Jehovah. ⁹ »As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

²⁷ »‘I say to the watery deep: ‘Be a waste and I will dry up your rivers!’

¹⁰ »I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ¹¹ I summon a bird of prey from the east. I summon a man to fulfill my purpose from a far off land. What I have said I will bring about. What I have determined (purposed) I will do.

⁶ »Is this not the fast I choose to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? ⁷ »Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house? When you see the naked, should you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸ »Your light will break out like the dawn. Your recovery will speedily spring forth. Your righteousness will go before you and the glory of Jehovah will be your rear guard. ⁹ »‘Then you will call, and Jehovah will answer! You will cry and he will say: ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

³ »Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog's neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who offers pig's blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and they delight in detestable things.

² »Lift up your eyes to the bare hills and see. You have had sex with men in every place. You sat by the roadside waiting for them like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled (corrupted) (profaned) the land with your prostitution and wickedness. ³ »Accordingly the rain has been withheld, and there have been no spring showers. Yet, you have the unashamed (conspicuous) (impudent) look of a prostitute, and you refuse to be ashamed.

²³ »Truly the sound from the hills and mountains is the noise of false worship. Truly Jehovah our God will be our salvation.

³ Jehovah looks for faithfulness. He struck you, but you paid no attention. He crushed you, but you refused to learn. You were stubborn and would not turn from your sins.

²⁰ »What purpose does frankincense come to me from Sheba and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.«

⁹ »Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known? ¹⁰ »Then come and stand before me in this house. It is called by my name. You say, ‘We are safe to do all these abominations.’ ¹¹ »Has this house, called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,« declares Jehovah.

¹¹ »Has this house, called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,« declares Jehovah. ¹² »But go to my place in Shiloh, where I made my name dwell from the beginning, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.

¹⁵ »I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the offspring of Ephraim.

²¹ Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel: »Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh. ²² »For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. ²³ »‘I gave them this command: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. You will walk in all the way that I command you that it may be well with you.’«

¹² »Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed! And they did not know how to blush. For that reason they will fall among those who fall. At the time of their punishment they will be brought down,« Says Jehovah.

² I wish I had a dwelling in the desert. I would abandon my people and go away from them. They are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

²³ This is what Jehovah says: »Do not let wise people brag about their wisdom. Do not let strong people brag about their strength. Do not let rich people brag about their riches.«

⁵ You greeted the one who gladly does right and remembers your ways. You were angry because we sinned. We continued to sin for a long time. Can we still be saved?

¹⁰ »I, Jehovah, search the heart and examine the mind (inner man). I give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds. ¹¹ »A person who gets rich dishonestly is like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay. During his lifetime, he will lose his wealth. In the end, he will be a wicked fool.«

¹⁶ »Now you have changed again and dishonored me. You brought back the male and females slaves that you had set free to live their own lives. You have forced them to be your male and female slaves again.’ ¹⁷ »This is what Jehovah says: ‘You did not obey me. You have not freed your relatives and neighbors. Now I am going to free you,’ declares Jehovah. ‘I will free you to die in wars, plagues, and famines. I will make all the kingdoms of the world horrified at the thought of you.

⁸ Ten men from the group pleaded with Ishmael: »Do not kill us! We have wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey hidden in the country.« So he left them alone and did not kill them along with the others.

¹⁶ »We refuse to listen to what you have told us in the name of Jehovah. ¹⁷ »We will do everything that we said we would. We will offer sacrifices to our goddess, the Queen of Heaven, and we will pour out wine offerings to her, just as our ancestors, our king and our leaders, and we used to do in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. Then we had plenty of food, we were prosperous, and had no troubles.

²⁹ »Moab is very proud! I have heard how proud, arrogant, and conceited the people are, how much they think of themselves.«

¹⁸ ‘»As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity.

²⁸ ‘»He realized what he was doing and turned away from all the rebellious things that he had done. He will certainly live. He will not die.

³¹ ‘»Give up all the evil you have been doing. Get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?

¹³ ‘»I strike my fist at your dishonest gain and your acts of bloodshed. ¹⁴ ‘»Can your heart endure? Will your hands be strong in the days that I will deal with you? I, Jehovah, have spoken and will act.

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are considered as nothing. He does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. None can stop him, or say to him: ‘What do you do?’

¹⁰ »Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined. The wicked will do wickedly and none of the wicked will understand. Those who are wise will understand!

³ »Let us get to know Jehovah! Let us press on (run after) (follow) to get to know him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.«

⁶ »I desire loving-kindness (mercy), not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

¹¹ »I overthrew your cities as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire. Yet you have not returned to me,« said Jehovah.

²¹ »I hate, I despise (reject) your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. ²² »Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them. Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

⁹ Let the wise understand these things. Let the discerning know them. For the ways of Jehovah are right. And the righteous will walk in them. But transgressors will stumble in them.

¹³ The men rowed hard to get back to the land; but they could not! The sea grew more and more stormy against them.

² »You hate good and love evil! You rip off their skin and their flesh from off their bones! ³ »You eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them! You break their bones, and chop them in pieces similar to the contents of a pot or a caldron.

⁹ Please hear this you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel. You who abhor justice, and pervert honesty! ¹⁰ They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with immorality. ¹¹ The leaders judge for a bribe, and the priests teach for wages! The prophets predict for money yet they rely on Jehovah when they say: »Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us.« ¹² It is your fault that Zion will be plowed like a field. Jerusalem will become heaps of ruin, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

⁶ With what shall I come before Jehovah? Shall I bow down before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with year old calves? ⁷ Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my sin? ⁸ He told you, O lowly man, what is good and what Jehovah requires of you. You should display justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God!

⁹ »He who receives a dishonest profit for his house will have trouble. He may set his nest on high in order to be delivered from the hand of evil! ¹⁰ »You have purposed a shameful thing for your house. You have sinned against yourself by destroying many people. ¹¹ »The stones will cry out from the wall. The beams out of the woodwork will answer it. ¹² »Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed and establishes a city with iniquity!

⁶ »The same for those who have turned back from following Jehovah, and those who have not sought Jehovah or inquired of Him.«

⁵ Jehovah of Hosts said: »Consider your ways.

⁷ Then Jehovah said: »Consider your ways.

¹⁵ »Can you see what has happened to you,« Jehovah asked, »before you started to rebuild the Temple?

¹⁸ »Today is the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, the day that the foundation of the Temple of Jehovah was completed. See what is going to happen from now on. ¹⁹ »There is no grain left. The grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced. However from now on I will bless you.«

³ He continued: »This is the curse that is upon the land. Every one who steals will be acquitted. Every one who swears falsely will be innocent.« ⁴ »I will cause it to happen,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »and it will enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of he who swears falsely by my name. The curse will abide in the midst of his house and will consume it with the timber and the stones of the house.«

⁹ »Jehovah of Hosts has spoken: Every man should execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion to his brother! ¹⁰ »Do not oppress the widow. Do not oppress the fatherless. Do not oppress the stranger and do not oppress the poor. And you should not devise evil in your heart against your brother. ¹¹ »They refused to pay heed, turned a stubborn shoulder (resisted), and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. ¹² »They made their hearts hard like flint and would not listen to the law, and the words that Jehovah of Hosts sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Great anger came from Jehovah of Hosts!« ¹³ »‘I cried, and they would not listen. Now they will cry, and I will not listen,’ said Jehovah of Hosts!

⁴² »Give to those who ask. Lend to those who borrow.

³ »When you give gifts, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴ »Your giving will be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

¹⁴ »If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

¹⁹ »Do not accumulate large amounts of wealth on earth. This is where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ »Accumulate wealth in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

² »As you judge, so you will be judged. As you measure, it will be measured to you.

²³ »I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of evil.’

³³ »Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt. The fruit a tree produces provides its reputation.

⁴¹ »The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who stumble others and commit lawlessness. ⁴² »The angels will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹⁶ Herod saw that the astrologers tricked him and he was furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the time he learned from the astrologers.

⁶ »Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁸ »Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

³⁰ »He would not give him time. He put him into prison till he paid the debt. ³¹ »When the other servants saw what happened, they were very sad. They told their lord what had been done. ³² »His lord sent for him, and said: ‘Evil servant; I made you free of all that debt, because of your request to me. ³³ »‘Should you [also] show mercy to your fellow servant the same way I showed mercy to you?’ ³⁴ »His lord was angry and sent him to jail to be punished until he paid back all of his debt. ³⁵ »My heavenly Father will treat you like that if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.«

¹³ »Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter.

³ »The foolish took no oil with their lamps. ⁴ »The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁸ »All the foolish virgins said to the wise: ‘Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

²⁶ »But his lord answered: ‘You wicked and lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter.

⁴¹ »Then he will tell those on his left: ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels. ⁴² »‘I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you did not give me drink. ⁴³ »‘I was a stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and you did not dress me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ ⁴⁴ »They will also ask: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison and not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵ »The King will answer: ‘To the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ »These will go away into ever-burning fire (everlasting cutting off) (death) (total destruction) (doom) (punishment) (everlasting penalty), but the righteous to everlasting life.’«

²¹ »It is from the heart that evil thoughts come such as: fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

³³ »To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.«

³⁰ »Give to every one who asks of you and do not demand back your goods from he who takes from you. ³¹ »As you would like men to do to you, do also to them. ³² »If you love those who love you what thanks do you have? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ »If you do good to those who do good to you what thanks do you have? Even sinners do the same. ³⁴ »If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive what thanks do you have? Even sinners lend to sinners to receive again as much. ³⁵ »Love your enemies and do good to them. Lend expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great. You will be sons of the Most High for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. ³⁶ »Be merciful even as your Father is merciful.

⁴⁵ »The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that which is evil. Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

¹³ »In a short time the younger son sold his share of the property. He left home with the money and traveled to a far away country where he wasted his money in reckless living. ¹⁴ »He spent everything! When a famine spread over that country he was left with nothing.

¹⁴ »He spent everything! When a famine spread over that country he was left with nothing. ¹⁵ »He went to work for a citizen of that country who sent him to his farm to take care of the pigs. ¹⁶ He wanted to eat the Carob bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. ¹⁷ »Finally it dawned on him, my father’s hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve! ¹⁸ »I will go to my father and say: ‘Father I have sinned against God and against you.

¹ Jesus told his disciples: »There was a rich man who had a servant who managed his property. The rich man learned that the manager was accused of wasting his master’s money.

¹⁵ Jesus said: »You make yourselves look righteous to other people. God knows your hearts. The things considered of great value by people are worth nothing in God’s sight.

¹⁹ »A rich man dressed in the most expensive clothes and lived in great luxury every day. ²⁰ »A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, used to be brought to the rich man’s door. ²¹ »He hoped he could eat the bits of food that fell from the rich man’s table. Then the dogs would come and lick his sores. ²² »The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man died and was buried. ²³ »He was in great torment in the grave (hades). He looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side. ²⁴ »He called out: Father Abraham! Take pity on me! Please send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue. I am in torment in this fire! ²⁵ »Abraham said: Remember, my son, in your lifetime you were given good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. Now he is enjoying himself while you are in torment.

¹¹ »The Pharisee stood and prayed like this: God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹² »I fast twice per week. I give tithes of all that I get.

¹⁴ »I tell you the tax collector and not the Pharisee was right with God when he went home. He who exalts himself will be humbled! He who humbles himself will be exalted!«

²⁵ »The master of the house will close the door. You stand outside and knock on the door and say: ‘Open the door for us, sir!’ He will answer: ‘I do not know where you come from!’

²⁷ »Again he will say: ‘I do not know where you come from. Get away from me, you wicked people!’ ²⁸ »You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are thrown out!

²⁴ Jesus did not trust his security to them for he understood all men. ²⁵ He did not need evidence about men for he knew what was in man.

¹⁹ »This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world. People loved the darkness rather than the light for their works were evil. ²⁰ »Every one who does evil hates the light. He does not come to the light because his works would be reproved.

³⁴ Jesus said: »My food is to do the will of him that sent me. To finish his work!

²⁷ Truly both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the people of the nations and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you have anointed. ²⁸ »They were there to do the things your hand and council foreordained to occur.

⁵ Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things.

⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.

¹¹ Great fear came upon the entire congregation who heard these things. ¹² The apostles performed many wonders among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³ None of the rest dared to associate with them, but the people held them in high esteem. ¹⁴ More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.

³⁹ »But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; otherwise you may find yourselves fighting against God.«

¹⁰ »And God delivered him out of all his afflictions. He gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Pharaoh made him governor over Egypt and his entire house.

⁹ »He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith.

³³ »I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or clothes. ³⁴ »You know that my own hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. ³⁵ »In all things I gave you an example. You by laboring should help the weak. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.«

¹⁵ They said to her: »You are mad.« But she kept insisting that it was so. Then they said: »It must be his angel.«

⁷ [He offers] everlasting life for those who search for incorruptible glory and honor by enduring in good works. ⁸ Those who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will receive wrath and indignation. ⁹ [There will be] tribulation and distress on every person who works evil, for the Jew first and for the Greek. ¹⁰ [There will be] glory, honor and peace to every one who does good works, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

²² My inner person delights in the law of God.

¹⁹ Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and things that are encouraging to one another.

²³ He that doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not by faith. Whatever is not by faith is sin!

³ You are still fleshly! There is envy, strife, and divisions among you. Do you not walk as ordinary men?

¹⁹ For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. It is written: »He catches the wise in their own craftiness (deception).« (Job 5:13) ²⁰ And again: »Jehovah knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (useless) (empty).« (Psalm 94:11)

¹⁷ When I planned this was I unfaithful? Or in other things do I perform according to the flesh. With me should there be a yes or a no? ¹⁸ But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yes and no. ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we, preached among you even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him is yes. ²⁰ All the promises of God in him are yes. Also in his is the Amen, to the glory of God through us.

¹³ But having the same spirit (attitude) of faith, according to that which is written, I believe, and therefore I speak. We also believe, and therefore we also speak.

⁷ But as you have plenty of everything, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you have plenty of this undeserved kindness also. ⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

⁵ God was not pleased with most of them. And their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. ⁶ Now these things were examples for us. They teach us not to lust after evil things like they did.

⁶ Now these things were examples for us. They teach us not to lust after evil things like they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters like some of them. It is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play. ⁸ Do not commit fornication like some of them committed. Twenty three thousand of them died in one day. ⁹ Do not test Jehovah like some of them also did and were destroyed by serpents. ¹⁰ Do not grumble like some of them grumbled. Venomous snakes killed them. ¹¹ These things happened for examples, and they are written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and unmovable. Always have plenty to do in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

⁹ As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor. His righteousness abides forever. ¹⁰ The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be made rich in everything. And you can be generous on every occasion. This will cause thanksgiving to God through us. ¹² This service not only takes care of the needs of the holy ones, but also abounds with many expressions of thanksgiving to God. ¹³ The proof of this ministry is that they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the good news of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men. ¹⁴ They pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

³ So if any one of you thinks you are important when you really are not, you are only fooling yourself.

¹ You were once dead because of your trespasses and sins. ² You once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power (authority and jurisdiction) of the air, the spirit that is now active in the sons of disobedience. ³ We all once lived in the lust of our flesh, indulging the desires (lusts) of the flesh and of the mind. We were by nature children of anger and violent passion, like everyone else.

²⁸ He that steals must steal no more. Let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to someone in need.

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

¹² Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect. But I press on, that I may obtain that for which Christ Jesus also obtained.

⁵ You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk (praise for selfish gain). We did not use words to cover up greed (insatiable desire for wealth). God is our witness! ⁶ We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you. ⁷ But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. ⁸ Having much affection for you, we were well pleased to impart the good news of God to you and also to share our lives with you. You have become very dear to us. ⁹ You may remember, brothers, our labor and hardship. We worked day and night that we would not burden any of you when we preached the good news of God to you.

¹¹ May God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

¹¹ Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and mind your own business, and work with your hands, as we command you. ¹² That way you may walk honestly in the eyes of those on the outside and lack nothing.

²¹ Prove all things; hold fast to what is good.

⁶ But she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

⁹ Those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts. These draw men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some by longing for it have been led away from the faith. They have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you, O man of God, run from these things. Pursue (set your heart on) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.

²² Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord with a clean heart.

⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁷ I have fought the good fight! I have finished the course! I have kept the faith! ⁸ The crown of righteousness is laid up for me. The Lord, the righteous judge, will give it to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing (manifestation).

¹ Pay close attention to the things heard so we do not drift away. ² If the word spoken through angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (penalty). ³ How shall we escape, if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first presented by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

¹¹ They must be stopped. Their mouths must be shut up, for they subvert entire households. They teach things that should not be taught, for the sake of dishonest gain.

¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure. Both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

¹⁴ He (Jesus Christ) gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify a people for himself, who are special people, zealous for good works.

³ For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

⁵ not by works done in righteousness, which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration (restoration) (spiritual rebirth) and renewing (renovation) of the Holy Spirit.

⁸ Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

⁴ Those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. This is because they personally impale the Son of God again, and expose him to public shame.

²⁶ If we continue to (practice) (deliberately persist in) sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. ²⁷ But there remains a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fiery indignation, which will devour God’s enemies. ²⁸ He that despised Moses’ Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. ²⁹ What about those who despise the Son of God? Those who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God’s covenant that purified them from sin? Those who insult the Spirit of grace? Think how much worse the punishment they deserve will be!

³⁸ »My righteous people will live by faith. If any of them turn back, I will not be pleased with them.«

¹⁴ Pursue peace and holiness with all people, for no man will see the Lord without it.

⁴ Behold, the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields, which are held back by you, cry out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of Jehovah of Hosts. ⁵ You lived in luxury on the earth, and take your pleasure; you nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned, and you have killed the righteous one. He does not resist you.

⁷ The proof of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes. Though it is tested by fire, it may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

²² You have purified your hearts by obeying the truth. You have genuine affection for the brothers and sisters. So always love one another intensely (extremely) (deeply) from the heart. ²³ You have been given a new birth, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and endures.

⁸ It is a stone that people stumble over, and a large rock that people find offensive. They stumble because they are disobedient to the word. To this end they were appointed.

³ They speak evil words about you because of their extreme greed. They will exploit you with false evil words. Their judgment from long ago is not idle. Their destruction will not delay. ⁴ God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to captivity in pits of darkness reserved for judgment! ⁵ He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly! ⁶ He turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, and made them an example to those who are ungodly. ⁷ He delivered righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the lustful life of the wicked. ⁸ That righteous man that dwelled among them was tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard. ⁹ Jehovah knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to preserve the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment. (Psalm 34:19) (Matthew 25:46)

²¹ For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² It happened to them according to the true proverb: »The dog returns to his own vomit, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.«

⁶ by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. ⁷ According to the same word, the heavens that now are, and the earth, are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

²² Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, who deceive themselves.

²⁶ If any man thinks he is religious, while he does not control his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain (worthless) (useless).

¹³ For judgment is without mercy to him who shows no mercy. And mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹³ For judgment is without mercy to him who shows no mercy. And mercy triumphs over judgment. ¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but he does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothes and in lack of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them: »Go in peace, be warmed and filled;« and yet you do not give them food and clothing, what good is it?

² We all stumble in many things. If any do not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to restrain (control) the whole body. ³ We put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us. We guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Look at ships. They are large and are driven by rough winds. Yet a very small rudder can control them, wherever the captain wills. ⁵ The tongue also is a little member. It boasts great things. Consider how great a forest fire a small fire kindles! ⁶ The tongue is like fire, the place of iniquity among our members. It defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of our life. It is set ablaze like the ever-burning fires in the Valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna: symbolic of total destruction). ⁷ Every kind of beast and bird, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. ⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil. It is full of deadly poison. ⁹ We bless Jehovah, the Father, with it. (Psalm 34:1) Then we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. ¹⁰ Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth! My brothers, these things should not be. ¹¹ Does the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet. ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his works are from meekness because of wisdom.

¹ What causes wars and fighting among you? Is the cause of fighting your sensual lusts for pleasure that battle within you? ² You lust, and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain! You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly (with bad motives) that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity (hatred) (hostility) toward God? Whoever would be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think the scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the attitude of the heart (mental disposition) that he induced to live in us cause us to envy?

¹⁸ Because Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

⁵ Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the older men. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and serve one another. God resists the proud, but gives loving kindness to the humble.

¹⁶ The entire world, the desire of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of material wealth, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us. If they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they went out that it made it plain that they all are not of us.

²⁹ If you know that he is righteous you know that every one who practices righteousness is born of him.

³ Everyone who has this hope in him is purified. He is pure.

²³ »'I will kill her children with deadly plague. Then all the congregations will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done.

⁴ Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and fountains of waters and they became blood.

¹² The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates. Its water was dried up so that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east.

¹² These men are hidden rocks in your love feasts when they feast (entertain) with you. They are shepherds that without fear feed themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by winds. They are autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.

¹³ In that same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand men were slain in the earthquake, and the survivors were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.