Proverbs 16 Cross References - WEB

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. ² All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. ³ Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. ⁴ Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. ⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished. ⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil. ⁷ When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. ⁸ Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. ⁹ A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. ¹⁰ Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. ¹¹ Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. ¹² It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. ¹⁴ The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. ¹⁵ In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. ¹⁶ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. ¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud. ²⁰ He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. ²¹ The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly. ²³ The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. ²⁶ The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on. ²⁷ A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. ²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. ³⁰ One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. ³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.

¹¹ Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”

¹⁵ You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.

³¹ When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

²⁷ Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;

¹¹ Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.

¹⁷ Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

⁹ A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

²¹ There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.

²⁴ A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?

¹ The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

⁷ But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. ⁸ Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh. ⁹ Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.

²³ Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

³⁹ I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good, and the good of their children after them. ⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good. I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.

²⁶ I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.

¹⁹ But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

¹¹ When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”

¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.

¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

¹³ For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. ¹⁸ Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

¹³ Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, “You are blessed by Yahweh! I have performed the commandment of Yahweh.” ¹⁴ Samuel said, “Then what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?”

⁷ But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

² For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.

²¹ For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths.

²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

¹² If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

¹² There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.

⁷ The way of the just is uprightness. You who are upright make the path of the righteous level.

²² For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord Yahweh. ²³ “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled. I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley. Know what you have done. You are a swift dromedary traversing her ways,

¹⁰ “I, Yahweh, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

²⁷ TEKEL: you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.

¹⁵ He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

⁹ He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead. ⁹ I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

¹⁸ “To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: “The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things:

²³ I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

⁸ “But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God,

²⁸ You will also decree a thing, and it will be established to you. Light will shine on your ways.

⁴ Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

²² Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

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

⁵ Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, ⁶ “Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king within it, even the son of Tabeel.” ⁷ This is what the Lord Yahweh says: “It shall not stand, neither shall it happen.”

²⁵ Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? ²⁷ “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? ²⁸ Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? ³¹ “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

²² He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear.

⁶ In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

⁷ casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

³⁰ that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, That they are led out to the day of wrath?

⁷ everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’”

²¹ the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise.

²² What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

³⁶ For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

⁸ and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.

³ In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.

⁹ the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

¹¹ “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”

⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.

¹² Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.

¹⁶ There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: ¹⁷ arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

¹³ The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

²¹ Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

¹¹ Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for the deeds of his hands will be paid back to him.

⁸ but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath, indignation, ⁹ oppression, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

¹¹ Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’

⁹ Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

¹⁵ But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

¹ There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil. ² There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. ³ His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east. ⁴ His sons went and held a feast in the house of each one on his birthday; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ⁵ It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts.” Job did so continually. ⁶ Now on the day when God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan also came among them. ⁷ Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” ⁸ Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”

²⁸ To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

¹⁰ Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

¹⁶ A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

²⁷ The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.”

¹⁸ Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. ¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. ²⁰ You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

⁴¹ But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.

² Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

⁹ He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

¹ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

²¹ subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

²² Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,

⁴¹ Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

⁶ The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” ⁷ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies;

²⁸ He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

⁴ Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.

¹⁰ The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

³¹ It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.

¹¹ Yahweh said, “Most certainly I will strengthen you for good. Most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

¹ But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

¹⁹ He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. ²⁰ Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

³¹ What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

¹⁸ But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

¹⁰ that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

¹⁶ Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

¹⁶ Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

¹¹ As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right. In the middle of his days, they will leave him. At his end, he will be a fool.

¹⁰ Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. ⁸ But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

²³ A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

¹⁰ I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.

⁵ Isn’t this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.’”

¹⁵ Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do divination?”

¹⁸ It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical priests. ¹⁹ It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; ²⁰ that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the middle of Israel.

³ The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, ⁴ shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.’

²⁸ All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.

⁶ Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom. ⁷ You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

¹ By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. ² He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. ³ The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness. ⁴ He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.

⁴ The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

¹² It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. ¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

¹ Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice. ² A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a large rock in a weary land.

⁵ “Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. ⁶ In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: Yahweh our righteousness.

⁴ They make promises, swearing falsely in making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.

⁷ You who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth:

¹² Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison, and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness;

³⁵ “‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. ³⁶ You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

¹³ You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light. ¹⁴ You shall not have in your house diverse measures, one large and one small. ¹⁵ You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

¹ A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.

¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

²³ Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

¹⁰ “You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath.

⁷ A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

⁵ Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;

¹¹ Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights?

¹⁶ For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God.

¹⁸ Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

⁵ Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁹ He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

¹⁴ The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

⁴⁸ but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

¹¹ I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

⁵ I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is arrogant and conceited. ⁶ My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me. ⁷ He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes.

³⁵ The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

¹¹ He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

³¹ Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.” ³² But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?” ³³ While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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

² The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

⁴ If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then these men were brought before the king. ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar answered them, “Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good; but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace. Who is that god that will deliver you out of my hands?” ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” ¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. ²⁰ He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. ²¹ Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into the middle of the burning fiery furnace. ²² Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. ²³ These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace. ²⁴ Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, “Didn’t we cast three men bound into the middle of the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” ²⁵ He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

²⁷ Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

²⁰ Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.

²⁰ We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

²³ They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain. ²⁴ I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn’t reject the light of my face.

⁶ Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.

⁶ For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.

⁵ For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

⁶ He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

³ Let’s acknowledge Yahweh. Let’s press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.”

¹ Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.

²⁸ You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

¹³ Man doesn’t know its price; Neither is it found in the land of the living. ¹⁴ The deep says, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’ ¹⁵ It can’t be gotten for gold, neither will silver be weighed for its price. ¹⁶ It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. ¹⁷ Gold and glass can’t equal it, neither will it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. ¹⁸ No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies. ¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it, nor will it be valued with pure gold. ²⁰ Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding? ²¹ Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky. ²² Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ ²³ “God understands its way, and he knows its place. ²⁴ For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky. ²⁵ He establishes the force of the wind. Yes, he measures out the waters by measure. ²⁶ When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder, ²⁷ then he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, and searched it out. ²⁸ To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

⁷ Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

¹⁰ Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

²⁶ For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

²¹ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

²⁴ Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. ²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶ Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. ²⁷ Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

⁹ He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

¹⁶ He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

⁸ A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.

¹³ But he who endures to the end will be saved.

³⁵ but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

¹⁶ In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

¹⁰ not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

³⁹ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.

²¹ Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,

¹⁰ Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

⁵ When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down, nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath.

⁶ So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?”

¹⁰ So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was pacified.

² When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.

¹⁹ He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

¹² Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

²³ A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.

¹¹ The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the arrogance of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day. ¹² For there will be a day of Yahweh of Armies for all that is proud and arrogant, and for all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low:

¹⁰ “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, ‘Don’t let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem won’t be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” ¹¹ Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. Shall you be delivered? ¹² Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of Eden who were in Telassar? ¹³ Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?’”

³⁸ As he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.

³⁰ The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” ³¹ While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you. ³² You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’” ³³ This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. ³⁴ At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?” ³⁶ At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

²² “You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

²⁴ Then the part of the hand was sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.

³ The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, who says in his heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ ⁴ Though you mount on high as the eagle, and though your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh.

³³ But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.” ³⁴ Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵ Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.

²⁰ True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;

⁶ not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

⁹ The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’

¹⁸ Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

⁶ For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.

³ You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.

⁶ I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people who anger me I will give him a command to take the plunder and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

¹³ For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding. I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers. ¹⁴ My hand has found the riches of the peoples like a nest, and like one gathers eggs that are abandoned, I have gathered all the earth. There was no one who moved their wing, or that opened their mouth, or chirped.” ¹⁵ Should an ax brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.

¹² Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

¹⁵ For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

¹³ But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

³⁸ Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” ³⁹ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

²⁰ They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he answered them, because they put their trust in him.

¹² Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

⁸ Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

¹ A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever.

⁵ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God:

³⁵ For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

² A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

¹⁹ I teach you today, even you, So that your trust may be in Yahweh. ²⁰ Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

³ Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; ⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. ⁵ A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

³ You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. ⁴ Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock.

¹⁸ Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose confidence is in Yahweh. ⁸ For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be concerned in the year of drought. It won’t cease from yielding fruit.

¹⁹ The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm. ²¹ Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.

²⁸ Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

²³ Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

¹⁶ “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

¹² to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. ¹³ In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

¹² behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.

² You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.

⁸ The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

²³ The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine.

⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.

¹⁰ The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.

⁴ The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

²² All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”

¹⁹ For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

¹⁴ Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

¹⁶ “Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’ ¹⁷ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?’ ¹⁹ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it. ²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who has been living in it. ²² He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it. ²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. ²⁴ You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel! ²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. ²⁶ You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.

³⁹ He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

²⁴ “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

⁶³ It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

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

³⁰ The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. ³¹ The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

¹ For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.

¹⁷ Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching. ¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

³⁴ You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

² My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.

¹⁰ They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

⁸ It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

²² For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

¹⁸ There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

²³ Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

²⁶ Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

¹⁶ Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste; ¹⁴ so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ¹² As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

¹¹ Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.

¹⁹ When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

²⁶ A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

¹² There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

¹⁵ “Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’” ¹⁶ Therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily. ¹⁷ I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. ¹⁸ Your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. ¹⁹ As often as it passes through, it will seize you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be nothing but terror to understand the message.”

⁴⁷ The Pharisees therefore answered them, “You aren’t also led astray, are you? ⁴⁸ Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees? ⁴⁹ But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.”

⁴⁰ Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

⁵ Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

²³ In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

⁷ All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

¹¹ and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, ⁹ not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

¹⁷ Now therefore know and consider what you will do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his house; for he is such a worthless fellow that one can’t speak to him.”

¹ There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”

¹⁴ from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. ¹⁵ As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

² Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. ³ You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah. ⁴ You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.

⁴ My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

⁴ if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:

¹² A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth,

¹⁴ in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.

¹⁸ Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and wickedness as with cart rope,

¹³ Behold, isn’t it of Yahweh of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

¹ Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, ³ but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’” ⁴ The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, ⁵ for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. ⁷ Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. ⁸ They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.” ¹¹ God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ¹² The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” ¹³ Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

⁹ David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you?’

¹⁹ a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

⁹ He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. ²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. ²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

²² An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.

³³ For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood; so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”

²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,

²⁰ For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,

³ If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, ⁴ he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, ⁵ constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

¹¹ Saul sent messengers to David’s house, to watch him, and to kill him in the morning. Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you don’t save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.”

¹⁷ Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’”

⁷ Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, ⁸ that all of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a treaty with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is today?” ⁹ Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

¹⁹ Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? ²⁰ Now therefore, O king, come down. According to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part will be to deliver him up into the king’s hand.” ²¹ Saul said, “You are blessed by Yahweh; for you have had compassion on me.

¹³ He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. ¹¹ If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lay in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. ¹² Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. ¹³ We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder. ¹⁴ You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse.”

¹² to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things, ¹³ who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness, ¹⁴ who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil, ¹⁵ who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths,

³¹ Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.

¹² A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, ¹³ who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, ¹⁴ in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.

¹⁰ One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.

²⁷ A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.”

³ Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

¹⁵ for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.’

⁷ Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. ⁸ She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

²³ But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!” ²⁴ So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” ²⁵ All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!” ²⁶ Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.

²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.

⁷ Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ⁸ Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?” ⁹ Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are one hundred thirty years. The days of the years of my life have been few and evil. They have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” ¹⁰ Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

³² “‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh.

² Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and gray-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day. ³ Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.” ⁴ They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.” ⁵ He said to them, “Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” They said, “He is witness.”

¹⁰ Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all! ¹³ Now therefore, our God, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. ¹⁴ But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own. ¹⁵ For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining. ¹⁶ Yahweh our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own. ¹⁷ I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you. ¹⁸ Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you; ¹⁹ and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.” ²⁰ Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God!” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king. ²¹ They sacrificed sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel, ²² and ate and drank before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before Yahweh to be prince, and Zadok to be priest. ²³ Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. ²⁴ All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of king David submitted themselves to Solomon the king. ²⁵ Yahweh magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

⁶ Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion. ⁷ I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

¹ My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: ² for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

⁶ Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

⁶ They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

²⁹ “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; ³² a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” ³³ Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, ³⁴ and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. ³⁵ Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” ³⁶ There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, ³⁷ and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. ³⁸ Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

⁸ Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

²⁹ He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

¹¹ The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

²⁸ Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

²¹ Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹ Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

¹⁹ So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

²¹ He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.

⁵⁵ Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. ⁵⁶ According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.” ⁵⁷ These are those who were counted of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. ⁵⁸ These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. ⁵⁹ The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. ⁶⁰ To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ⁶¹ Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Yahweh. ⁶² Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. ⁶³ These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. ⁶⁴ But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. ⁶⁵ For Yahweh had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

¹⁴ In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. It shall be that the tribe which Yahweh selects shall come near by families. The family which Yahweh selects shall come near by households. The household which Yahweh selects shall come near man by man.

⁵ They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall live in his borders on the south, and the house of Joseph shall live in their borders on the north.

¹⁰ Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.

⁴¹ Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Show the right.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, but the people escaped. ⁴² Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” Jonathan was selected.

¹ The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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

⁷ They all said to each other, “Come! Let’s cast lots, that we may know who is responsible for this evil that is on us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

²⁶ They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.