Fall Asleep To Proverbs (2 Hours Of Calm Scripture)

This track is a calm, continuous reading of Proverbs and other selected scripture designed to help you relax and fall asleep. The passages are read in a steady, gentle tone, creating a peaceful rhythm that quiets the mind. There is no commentary or interruption, allowing you to simply listen and unwind. Let the words guide your thoughts away from stress as you settle into rest or drift into sleep.

Transcript

Proverbs 1 The Proverbs of Solomon The Son of David, King of Israel To know wisdom and instruction. To discern the words of understanding. To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, Justice, And fairness. To give forethought to the simple. Knowledge and discretion to the young man. That the wise man may hear, And increase in learning. That the man of understanding may attain sound direction. To understand a proverb and parables. The words and riddles of the wise. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. My son, Listen to your father's instruction. And don't abandon your mother's teaching. For they will be a crown to grace your head. And necklaces around your neck. My son, If sinners tempt you, Don't go with them. If they say come with us, Let's prepare to shed blood. Let's wait secretly for the innocent to harm them for no reason. Let's swallow them up alive like the grave. Like those who go down into the pit. We'll take all their valuables. We'll fill our houses with stolen goods. You join us while I'll share. My son, Don't walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path. For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird. But these wait for their own blood. They wait secretly for their own lives. So it is for everyone who is greedy for ill-gotten gain. It takes away the life of its owners. Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, She speaks. How long, You simple ones, Will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery? And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke. Look, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. Because I have called and you have refused. I have stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention. You have ignored all my counsel and did not heed my rebuke. I will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when tragedy overtakes you. When disaster overtakes you like a storm. When your disaster comes like a whirlwind. When distress and suffering come on you. Then they will call on me. But I will not answer. They will seek me diligently. But they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and didn't choose the fear of God. They wanted none of my guidance. They despised all my rebukes. So they will eat the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own plans. For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and will be at ease without fear of harm. Proverbs 2 My son, If you receive my words and store up my commands within you, To turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, Yes, If you call out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, Then you will understand the fear of God and find the knowledge of God. For God gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He provides sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, So that he may guard the paths of justice and preserve the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Fairness and every good path. For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the men who speak perverse things, Who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk in the ways of darkness, Who joyfully do evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, Who are crooked in their ways and wayward in their paths, To deliver you from the unfaithful woman, Even from the one who flatters with her words, Who abandons the friend of her childhood and forgets the promises of her God. For her house leads to death, Her paths to the grave. None who go to her return again. Neither do they reach the paths of life. So walk in the way of good men and keep on the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land. The righteous will remain in it. But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The unfaithful will be rooted out of it. Proverbs 3 My son, Don't forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my commandments, For they will add to the length of your days, Years of life, And peace. Don't let kindness and truth abandon you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart, So that you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in God with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, Acknowledge God and He will make your path straight. Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear God and flee from evil. There will be health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor God with your finances, With the first fruits of all your increase, So that your barns will be filled with plenty, And your containers will overflow with new wine. My son, Don't despise God's discipline and don't be tired of His corrections. For those God loves, He corrects. Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding. For her good profit is better than getting silver, And her return is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies. Nothing you can desire can be compared to her. Long life is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are paths of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Everyone is happy who keeps her. By wisdom, God created the earth. By understanding, He established the heavens. By His knowledge, The roaring sea was broken up and the skies dropped down dew. My son, Don't let them get out of your sight. Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul and grace for your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. When you lie down, You will not be afraid. Yes, You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Don't be afraid of sudden fear or of the anguish of the wicked when it comes. For God will be your confidence and will keep your foot from falling. Don't withhold good from those it is due, When it is in your power to provide it. Don't say to your neighbor, Leave and come back again tomorrow and I will give it to you, When you already have it with you. Don't plan evil against your neighbor, Since he lives securely by you. Don't struggle with a man without a reason, If he has done you no harm. Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. For the perverse is detestable to God, But his friendship is with the upright. God's curse is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the reward of fools. Listen, Sons, To a father's instruction. Pay attention and learn understanding. For I give you sound teaching. Don't abandon my law. For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. He taught me and said to me, Let your heart keep my words, Keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget and don't deviate from the words of my mouth. Don't forsake wisdom and she will guard you. Love her and she will keep you. Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, Though it costs all you have, Get understanding. Honor her and she will elevate you. She will bring you honor when you hold her. She will give to your head a crown of grace. She will deliver you a crown of glory. Listen, My son, And accept my teaching. The years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. When you go, Your steps will not be hindered. When you run, You will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, For she is your life. Don't go on the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it and don't go near it. Turn from it and walk on. For the evil don't sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the morning sun that shines more and more until it's fully bright. The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. My son, Pay attention to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Don't let them out of your sight. Keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life. Keep yourself from a perverse mouth. Keep corrupt lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 5 My son, Pay attention to wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding so that you may maintain discretion, That your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end, She is as bitter as a rotten lemon and as sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the path of life. Her ways are crooked, And she doesn't know it. Now therefore, My sons, Listen to me. Don't stray from the words of my mouth. Stay clear, Far from her path. Don't come near the door of her house, So you don't lose your honor to others and your ears to the cruel one. So strangers won't feast on your wealth, And your labors enrich another man's house. You will groan in the end when your flesh and your body are consumed and say, How I hated instruction and my heart despised correction. I haven't obeyed the voice of my teachers or turned my ear to those who instructed me. I have come to the brink of utter ruin among all the people. Drink water out of your own well. Running water out of your own well. Why should your springs overflow in the streets, Streams of water in the public squares? Let them be for yourself alone, Not for strangers with you. Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe and a graceful deer. Let her breast satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. For why should you, My son, Be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the chest of another? For all the ways of man are seen by God's eyes. He examines all his paths. The evil deeds of the wicked trap him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. He will die for a lack of instruction. In his great foolishness, He will go astray. My son, If you have put up collateral for your neighbor, If you have made a pledge for a stranger, You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are bound by the words of your mouth. Do this now, My son, And deliver yourself. Since you have come under the hand of your neighbor, Go humble yourself. Plead your case with your neighbor. Don't sleep and don't rest until you do. Free yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, Like a bird from the snare of the fowler. Learn from the aunt, Lazy Bones. Consider her ways and be wise. It has no master, Supervisor, Or ruler. It works in the summer and gathers her food for the winter. How long will you sleep, Lazy Bones? When will you get up out of your sleep? A little sleep, A little rest, A little easing of the hands to sleep, And poverty will come on you like a robber, And your lack like an armed man. A worthless person, A man of sin, Is one who walks with a perverted mouth, Who winks with his eyes and who signals with his feet, Who motions with his fingers, And their heart is perverseness. They plan evil continually. They always cause trouble. Because of this, Disaster will come on him suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, And that without remedy. There are six things which God hates, Seven which are disgraceful to him. Arrogant eyes, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that makes evil schemes, Feet that are swift and running to mischief, A false witness who tells lies, And he who causes trouble among family. My son, Keep your father's commandment and don't abandon your mother's teaching. Bind them continually to your heart, Tie them around your neck. When you walk, It will lead you. When you sleep, It will watch over you. When you awake, It will talk with you. The commandment is a lamp and the law is light. Correction and instruction are the way of life. To keep you from the immoral woman, From the flattery of the strained wife's tongue, Don't lust after her beauty in your heart. Neither let her captivate you with her winking eyes. For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he whoever sleeps with his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not go unpunished. Men don't despise a thief if he steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, He will have to pay back seven times. He will have to sell all he owns. He who commits adultery with a woman has no understanding. He who does it destroys his own life. He will be wounded and disgraced. His rebuke will not be wiped away. For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare when he takes revenge. He won't take any amount of money and won't be satisfied though you give many gifts. Proverbs 7 My son, Keep my words. Store my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live. Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Tell wisdom, You are my sister. Call understanding your relative. So that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, From the one who flatters with her words. For out of the window of my house I looked through the blinds. I saw the young men. I noticed among them a young man with no sense passing through the street near her corner. He went to her house. In the twilight, In the evening, In the middle of the night in the darkness. And look, There a woman met him dressed like a prostitute with sneaky intentions. She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house. Now she is in the streets, Now in the squares and lurking in every corner. So she caught him and kissed him. With a bold face she said to him, I've made my peace offerings and today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, To look diligently for you and I have found you. I have spread fine tapestry on my couch with exotic cloths from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, Aloes and cinnamon. Come, Let's make love until the morning. Let's comfort ourselves with loving. For my husband isn't home. He has gone on a long trip. He has taken a lot of money with him. He won't be home until the full moon. With persuasive words she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips she seduced him. He followed her immediately like an ox goes to the slaughter. Like a fool stepping into a noose. Until an arrow strikes through his liver. Like a bird rushes to the snare and doesn't know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, Sons, Listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths. For she has taken down many wounded men. Yes, She has killed many like a mighty army. Her house is the way of the grave, Going down to the rooms of death. Proverbs 8 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, She stands. Beside the gates, At the entry of the city. At the entry doors, She cries aloud. I call to you men. I send my voice to mankind. You simple, Understand forethought. You fools, Have an understanding heart. Here, For I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is disgraceful to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. They are all plain to him who understands. Right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction instead of silver. Knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than diamonds. All the things that may be desired can't compare to it. I, Wisdom, Have made forethought my home. Find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of God is to hate evil. I hate pride, Arrogance, The evil way, And the perverse mouth. Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. By me, Kings reign. And princes dispense justice. By me, Princes rule. Nobles and all the righteous leaders of the earth. I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. With me are riches, Honor, Enduring wealth, And prosperity. My fruit is better than gold. Yes, Than fine gold. My results better than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness and the paths of justice. So that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their accounts. God possessed me in the beginning of His work from long ago. I was set up for eternity from the beginning, Before the earth existed. When there was no sea, I was born. When there were no springs with water, Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills were made, I was born. Before He made the earth, The fields, The beginning of the dust of the world, When He established the heavens, I was there. When He set a circle on top of the sea, When He established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong, When He had set a boundary for the sea so that the waters would not violate His commandment, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, I was the craftsman by His side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before Him. Rejoicing in His whole world, My delight was with mankind. Now, My sons, Listen to me. Blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise. Don't refuse it. Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. For whoever finds me, Finds life, And will gain favor from God. But he who sins against me, Harms himself. All those who hate me, Love death. Proverbs 9 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table. She has sent out her young women. She cries from the highest places in the city. Whoever is simple, Let him turn in here. To those who are without understanding, She says to them, Come, Eat some of my bread. Drink some of the wine which I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and live. Walk in the way of understanding. One who corrects a mocker, Invites insult. One who rebukes a wicked man, Invites abuse. Don't rebuke a scoffer or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise person and he will love you. Instruct a wise person and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person and he will increase in learning. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me, Your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased. If you are wise, You are wise for yourself. If you mock, You alone will bear it. The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city, To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their paths. Whoever is simple, Let him turn in here. As for him who is without understanding, She says to him, Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten and secret is pleasant. But he doesn't know that the dead are there. That her guests are in the depths of the grave. Proverbs 10 The Proverbs of Solomon A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Treasures from wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. God will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, But he throws away the desire of the wicked. He who is lazy becomes poor, But to the diligent comes wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, But he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart accept commandments, But a chattering fool will fall. He who walks blamelessly walks securely, But he who perverts his way will be found out. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, And a foolish talker will fall. The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up trouble, But love covers all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, But a rod is for the back of him who is without understanding. Wise men acquire knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near ruin. The rich man's wealth is his strength. The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin. The one who accepts correction is on the path of life, But he who rejects correction leads others astray. He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who slanders is a fool. With many words there is disobedience, But he who restrains his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is worthless. The lips of the righteous feed many, But the foolish die for lack of understanding. God's blessing brings wealth, And he adds no trouble to it. It is the fool's pleasure to be wicked, But wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure. What the wicked fear will overtake them, But the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes, The wicked perish, But the righteous stand firm forever. As vinegar is to the teeth and smoke is to the eyes, So are the lazy to those who sinned him. The fear of God adds days to your life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. The prospect of the righteous is joy, But the hope of the wicked will perish. The way of God is security to the upright, But it is destruction to the sinful. The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not live in the land. The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked is perverse. A false scale is detestable to God, But accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, Then comes shame, But with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perverseness of the wicked will destroy them. Riches don't help in the day of the Lord, But righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of a blameless person will direct their way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires. When a wicked man dies, His hopes perish with him, And his expectation of power comes to nothing. A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked takes his place. With his mouth, A godless man destroys his neighbor, But the righteous will be delivered through knowledge. When things go well with the righteous, The city rejoices. When the wicked perish, There are shouts of joy. By the blessing of the upright, The city is improved, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. One who despises his neighbors is without wisdom, But a man of understanding holds his tongue. One who gossips betrays trust, But one who is trustworthy keeps a secret. Where there is no wise guidance, The nation falls, But with many counselors, There is victory. He who puts up collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, But he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure. A kind woman gains honor, But violent men gain riches. The merciful man benefits himself, But he who is cruel brings trouble to himself. Wicked people earn money through deceit, But one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death. Those who are perverse in heart are detestable to God, But those whose ways are blameless are his delight. Most certainly, An evil man will not be unpunished, But the children of the righteous will be delivered. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is anger. There is one who freely gives and yet increases more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, But gains poverty. The generous soul will be abundantly blessed. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse someone who withholds grain for himself, But blessing will be on the one who sells it. He who diligently seeks for good finds favor, But he who searches for evil, It will come to him. He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. He who brings trouble to his own home will inherit only the wind. A foolish person will be the servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who wins souls is wise. As the righteous are paid back on the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner. Proverbs 12 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is foolish. A good man will receive favor from God, But he will condemn a man who plans wickedness. A man will not be made secure by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. A good wife is the crown on her husband's head, But a disgraceful wife is like cancer in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are fair, But the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked wait for blood, But the speech of the upright rescues them. The wicked are destroyed and perish, But the house of the righteous will stand. A man will be praised according to his wisdom, But he who has a twisted mind will be despised. Better is he who is not famous but has a servant than he who honors himself and lacks food. A righteous man respects the life of his animal, But the treatment given by the wicked is cruel. He who works his land will have plenty of bread, But he who chases fantasies is without understanding. The wicked desire the ill-gotten treasures of evil men, But the root of the righteous flourishes. An evil man is trapped by the sinfulness of his lips, But the righteous will come out of trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the words he speaks. The work of a man's hands will reward him. The way of a fool seems right in his own eyes, But he who is wise listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance right away, But one who overlooks an insult is wise. He who is truthful testifies honestly, But a false witness lies. One who speaks foolishly pierces like a sword, But the tongue of the wise heals. Truth's lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only momentary. Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, But joy comes to the promoters of peace. No mischief will happen to the righteous, But the wicked will be filled with evil. Lying lips are detestable to God, But those who speak truth are his delight. A wise man keeps his knowledge, But the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness. The hands of the diligent will rule, But laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a kind word makes it glad. A righteous person is cautious in friendship, But the way of the wicked leads them away. A lazy man doesn't prepare his food, But what the diligent have is admired. Following in righteousness there is life, In its path there is no death. Proverbs 13 A wise son listens to his father's instruction, But a scoffer doesn't listen to correction. By the words he speaks, A man enjoys good things, But the unfaithful crave violence. He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The soul of the lazy desires, But has nothing, But the desire of the diligent will be fully satisfied. A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the way of integrity, But wickedness destroys the sinner. There are some who pretend to be rich, But have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, But have great wealth. The wealth of the rich ransoms their life, But the poor don't hear of threats. The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Pride only brings conflict, But wisdom is with people who take advice. Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when longing is fulfilled, It is a tree of life. Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, But he who respects direction will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a spring of life to turn from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every wise man acts from knowledge, But a fool shows his foolishness. A liar falls into trouble, But a trustworthy person gains healing. Poverty and shame come to those who refuse discipline, But he who accepts correction will be honored. Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, But fools hate turning from evil. One who walks with the wise grows wise, But a companion of fools suffers harm. Misfortune pursues sinners, But prosperity rewards the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous. An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, But injustice sweeps it away. One who fails to rebuke the bad behavior of his son hates him, But the one who loves him is careful to discipline him. The righteous eat to the satisfying of their souls, But the belly of the wicked goes hungry. Proverbs 14 Every wise woman builds her house, But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. He who walks in righteousness fears God, But he who is perverse despises Him. The fool's talk brings him a beating, But the lips of the wise protect them. When there are no oxen, The stall is clean, But there is a great increase by the strength of the ox. A truthful witness will not lie, But a false witness pours out lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and doesn't find it, But knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. Stay away from a foolish man, For you won't find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the wise person is to think about his way, But the foolishness of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sins, But among the upright there is goodwill. The heart knows its own bitterness and joy, He will not share these with a stranger. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right to man, But in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart have sorrow, And humor may end in sadness. The unfaithful will be repaid for his ways, Likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. A simple man believes everything, But the wise man carefully considers his ways. A wise man fears and shuns evil, But the fool is quick-tempered and reckless. He who is quick to become angry will act foolishly, And an underhanded man is hated. The simple inherit foolishness, But the wise are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, But the rich person has many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, But he who has pity on the poor is blessed. Don't those that plot evil go astray, But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. In all hard work there is profit, But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools crowns them with foolishness. A truthful witness saves souls, But a false witness is deceitful. In the fear of God there is a secure fortress, And he will be a refuge for his children. The fear of God is a fountain of life, Turning people from the snares of death. The king's glory is in a large kingdom, But in a lack of people is the destruction of the prince. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who has a quick temper displays foolishness. The life of the body is a heart that is at peace, But envy rots the bones. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors God. The wicked is brought down in his misfortune, But in death the righteous person has a refuge. Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, And is made known deep inside even of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to its people. The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his wrath is toward one who causes shame. A gentle answer turns away anger, But a harsh word stirs up rage. The tongue of the wise praises knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out foolishness. God's eyes are everywhere, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, But a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds correction shows wisdom. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But the income of the wicked brings trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, Not so with the heart of fools. The sacrifice made by the wicked is disgraceful to God, But the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is disgraceful to God, But he loves those who follow after righteousness. There is stern discipline for those who leave the path. Whoever hates correction will die. A scoffer doesn't appreciate correction. He will not go to the wise. A glad heart makes a cheerful face, But an aching heart breaks the spirit. The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed on foolishness. All the days of the distressed are wretched, But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of God than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fattened calf where there is hatred. An angry man stirs up arguments, But one who is slow to anger pacifies trouble. The way of the lazy is like a thorn patch, But the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. Foolishness is joy to one who is without wisdom, But a man of understanding keeps his way straight. Where there is no counsel, Plans fail, But with much counsel they are established. Joy comes to a man with the right words. How good is a word at the right time! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going downward to the grave. God will uproot the house of the proud, But he will keep the widow's borders intact. God hates the thoughts of the wicked, But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. He who is greedy for money brings trouble to his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous considers answers, But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. God is far from the wicked, But he hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. The ear that listens to correction lives, And he will be at home among the wise. He who refuses correction despises his own soul, But he who listens to correction gets understanding. The fear of God teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. Proverbs 16 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from God. All the ways of a man are innocent in his own eyes, But God weighs the motives. Commit your actions to God, And your plans will succeed. God has made everything for its own end. Yes, Even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who holds pride in their heart is detestable to God. They will certainly not be unpunished. By mercy and truth, Sin is compensated for. By the fear of God, Men leave the ways of evil. When a man's ways please God, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. A man's heart plans his course, But God directs his steps. Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He will not betray his mouth. Honest balances and scales are God's. All the weights in the bag are his work. It is detestable for kings to do wrong, For the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. The king's anger is a messenger of death, But a wise man will pacify it. In the light of a king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of rain in the spring. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, To get understanding is better than silver. The highway of the upright is to leave evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. Pride goes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the plunder with the proud. He who obeys the word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in God is blessed. The wise in heart will be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the punishment of fools is their foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way which seems right to man, But in the end it leads to death. The hunger of the laboring man works for him, For his mouth urges him on. A worthless man plans trouble. His speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up trouble. A whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence lures his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, One who compresses his lips is bent on evil. Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. One who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from God. Proverbs 17 Better is a dry crumb with quietness than a house full of food with trouble. A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who causes shame and will have part of the inheritance among the brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold. But God tests the heart. A sinner pays attention to those who speak evil. A liar listens to a sinful tongue. Whoever mocks the poor shows disrespect for his maker. He who is happy about disaster will not be unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of old men. The glory of children are their parents. Excellent speech isn't fitting for a fool. Much less are lying lips appropriate for a prince. A bribe is a precious jewel in the eyes of the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, He prospers. He who covers an offense promotes love. But he who repeats a matter separates best friends. A correction goes deeper into a person who has understanding than a hundred lashes go into a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore, A cruel messenger will be sent against him. It is better for a man to encounter a bear robbed of her cubs than it is to meet a fool in his foolishness. Whoever rewards evil for good will not have evil leave his house. The beginning of trouble is like a dam breaking. Therefore, Stop an argument before fighting breaks out. He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both detestable to God. Why should there be money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom since he has no understanding? A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity. A man who lacks understanding shakes hands and guarantees repayment of his neighbor's debt. He who loves disobedience loves trouble. One who builds a high gate looks for destruction. One who has a perverse heart doesn't find wealth. And one who has a lying tongue falls into trouble. He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy. A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit drives up the bones. A wicked man receives a bribe in secret to pervert justice. Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother. Also, To punish the righteous is not good. Neither is beating officials for their integrity. He who limits his words has knowledge. He who is level-headed is a man of understanding. Even a fool, When he keeps silent, Is thought to be wise. When he shuts his lips, He is thought to be discerning. Proverbs 18 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness and resists all good judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his own opinion. When wickedness comes, Disrespect also comes and with shame comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. To be partial to the wicked is not good. Neither is depriving justice to the innocent. A fool's lips come into trouble and his mouth invites beatings. A fool's mouth is his destruction and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of gossip are like exquisite crumbs. They go down into a person's innermost parts. One who is lazy in his work is brother to one who is a master of destruction. God's name is a strong tower. The righteous run to him and are safe. The rich man's wealth is his strong city. He imagines it to be like an unscalable wall. Before destruction, The heart of man is proud. But humility comes before honor. He who answers before he hears, That is foolishness and a shame to him. A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit, Who can bear? The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man's gift makes room for him. It brings him before influential men. He who pleads his case first seems right until another comes and questions him. A coin flip settles disputes and keeps strong-headed people from disputes. A brother offended is more difficult to deal with than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress. A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips, He is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Those who love it will eat its fruit. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from God. The poor plead for mercy, But the rich answer harshly. A man of many friends may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 19 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man with perverse lips and is a fool. It isn't good to have enthusiasm without knowledge. Neither is being quick with one's feet and missing the way. The foolishness of man sabotages his way. His heart rages against God. Wealth adds many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. A false witness will not be unpunished. He who pours out lies will not go free. Many will beg for the favor of a ruler, And everyone is friend to a man who gives gifts. All the relatives of the poor shun him. How much more do his friends avoid him? He pursues them with pleas, But they are gone. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding will find good. A false witness will not be unpunished. He who utters lies will perish. Living in luxury is not appropriate for a fool, And neither is a servant ruling over a prince. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense. The king's anger is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is the disaster of his father. A quarreling wife is like the continual dripping of water. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a wise wife is from God. Laziness casts a person into a deep sleep. The idle soul will suffer hunger. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is scornful in his ways will die. He who has pity on the poor lends to God. God will reward him. Discipline your son, For there is hope. Don't be a willing party to his death. A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, For if you rescue him, You must do it again. Listen to advice and receive instruction, So that you may be wise in the end. There are many plans in a man's heart, But God's wisdom will triumph. What makes a man desirable is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. The fear of God leads to life, Then satisfaction. He rests and will not be touched by trouble. The lazy man puts his hand in the dish of food, But he's too lazy to bring it to his mouth again. Flog a scoffer and the simple will learn wisdom. Correct one who has understanding, And he will gain knowledge. Whoever robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings correction. If you stop listening to instruction, My son, You will stray from the words of knowledge. A corrupt witness mocks justice, And the mouth of the wicked gulps down sin. Penalties are prepared for scoffers and beatings for the backs of fools. Proverbs 20 Wine is a mocker and beer leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. It is an honor for a man to keep distant from trouble, But every fool will be quarreling. The lazy person will not plow in the right season, Therefore he will beg at harvest and have nothing. Advice in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. Many men claim to have unfailing love, But who can find a faithful man? A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children who follow after him. A king who sits on the throne of judgment tosses out all evil with his eyes. Who can say, I have made my heart pure, I am clean without sin? Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them, Are detestable to God. Even a child makes himself known by his actions, Whether his work is pure and whether it is right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, God has made both of them. Don't love too much sleep or else you will come to poverty. Open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread. It's no good, It's no good, Says the buyer, But after he leaves he boasts about his purchase. There is gold and abundance of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. Take a security deposit of one who puts up collateral for a stranger and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman. Stolen food is sweet to a man, But afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel. Plans are established by advice, By wise guidance you wage war. He who speaks much reveals secrets, Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips. Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in blackness of darkness. An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won't be blessed in the end. Don't say I will get revenge, Wait for God and He will save you. God detests differing weights and dishonest scales are not pleasing. A man's steps are from God, How then can man understand his way? It is a snare for a man to make a rash dedication then later to consider his vows. A wise king sorts out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of man is God's lamp, Searching all his innermost parts. Love and faithfulness keep the king safe, His throne is sustained by love. The glory of young men is their strength, The splendor of old men is their gray hair. Wounding blows cleanse away evil and beatings purge the innermost parts. Proverbs 21 The king's heart is like a stream of water in God's hand. He turns it wherever he desires. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes but God weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to God than sacrifice. An arrogant attitude and a proud heart, The light of the wicked is sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit and everyone who jumps quick rushes to poverty. Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. The violence of the wicked will drive them away because they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious but the conduct of the innocent is upright. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. The soul of the wicked desires evil. His neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. When the mocker is punished, The simple gains wisdom. When the wise are instructed, They receive knowledge. The righteous one considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Whoever ignores the cry of the poor will also cry out but will not be heard. A gift given in secret calms anger and a bribe in the coat calms strong wrath. It is joy to the righteous to do justice but it is a destruction to the workers of sin. The man who wanders off the way of understanding will rest with the dead. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won't be rich. The wicked are a ransom for the righteous and the unfaithful are a ransom for the upright. It is better to live in the desert than to live with an argumentative and restless wife. There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise but a foolish man swallows it up. He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, Righteousness, And honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the strength of his confidence. Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. The proud and arrogant man, Scoffer, Is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride. The desire of the lazy man kills him for his hands refuse to labor. There are those who crave more and are greedy all day long but the righteous give and don't withhold. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind. A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity. A wicked man hardens his face but as for the upright, He establishes his ways. There is no wisdom or understanding or logic that prevails against God. The horse is prepared for the day of battle but victory is with God. A good name is better than great riches and being respected is better than silver and gold. The rich and poor have this in common. God is the maker of both. A wise man sees danger and hides but the simple continue on and suffer for it. The result of humility and the fear of God is wealth, Honor, And life. Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked. Whoever guards his soul stays from them. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. He who sows wickedness reaps trouble and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. He who has a generous eye will be blessed for he shares his food with the poor. Drive out the mocker and trouble will leave. Yes, Quarrels and insults will stop. He who loves a pure heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend. God's eyes watch over knowledge but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. The lazy person says there is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets. The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under God's wrath will fall into it. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. The rod of discipline drives it far from him. Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich both come to poverty. Turn your ear and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them with you, If all of them are ready on your lips. I teach you today, Even you, So that your trust may be in God. Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of wisdom and knowledge to teach you truth, Reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones who sent you? Don't exploit the poor because he is poor and don't crush the needy in court, For God will plead their case and plunder the life of those who plunder them. Don't befriend a hot-tempered man and don't associate with one who harbors anger, So you won't learn his ways and trap your soul. Don't you be one of those who shakes hands, Putting up collateral for the debts of others. If you don't have means to pay, Why should you take away your bed from under you? Don't move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up. Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men. Proverbs 23 When you sit to eat with a ruler, Pay attention to what is before you. Put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to craving. Don't crave his delicacies, Since it is dishonest food. Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, Show restraint. Why do you set your eyes on that which is not permanent? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies off in the sky. Don't eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, And don't crave his delicacies, For he is always thinking about the cost. Eat and drink, He says to you, But his heart does not mean it. The crumb which you eat, You will vomit up, And you'll lose your compliments. Don't speak into the ears of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. Don't move the ancient boundary stone. Don't intrude on the fields of the orphans, For their defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to the words of knowledge. Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, He will not die. Punish him with the rod, And save his soul from the grave. My son, If your heart is wise, Then my heart will be glad. Yes, My heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Don't let your heart envy sinners, But rather fear God all day long. For certain, There is a future hope, And your hope will not be cut off. Listen, My son, And be wise, And keep your heart on the right path. Don't be among those drinking too much wine, Or those who gorge themselves on meat, For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, And drowsiness clothes them in rags. Listen to your father who gave you life, And don't despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and don't sell it. Get wisdom, Discipline, And understanding. The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. Let your father and your mother be glad. Let she who gave birth to you rejoice. My son, Give me your heart, And let your eyes keep in my ways. For a prostitute is like a deep pit, And an adulterous wife is like a narrow well. Yes, She lies in wait like a robber, And increases the unfaithful among men. Who has agony? Who has sorrow? Who has trouble? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who stay long with wine, Those who go to seek out mixed drinks. Don't admire the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly. In the end, It bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will imagine confusing things. Yes, You will be like a person who lies down in the middle of the sea or like one who lies on the top of the rigging saying, They hit me and I was not hurt. They beat me and I don't feel it. When I wake up, I can do it again. I can find another drink. Proverbs 24. Don't be envious of evil men or desire to be with them for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about trouble. Through wisdom, A house is built. By understanding, It is established. By knowledge, The rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. A wise man has great power and a knowledgeable man increases strength. For by wise guidance, You wage your war and victory is in the advice of many advisors. Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn't open his mouth and the gate. One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. The schemes of foolishness are sin. The mocker is detested by men. If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small. Rescue those who are being led away to death. Indeed, Hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter. If you say, Look, We didn't know this, Doesn't he who weighs the heart consider it? He who keeps your soul, Doesn't he know it? Will he not give to every man according to his work? My son, Eat honey for it is good. The droppings of the honeycomb are sweet to taste, So you will 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. Don't lay in wait, Wicked man, Against the home of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place. For a righteous man may fall seven times but rises up again. But the wicked are overthrown by disaster. Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is destroyed or else God will see it and it will displease him and he will turn away his wrath from him. Don't worry yourself because of evil people or be envious of the wicked, For there will be no reward for the evil. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. My son, Fear God and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious, For their disaster will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both? These also are the sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, You are righteous. People will curse and the nations will hate him. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty and a rich blessing will come on them. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Do your outside work and get your fields ready. Afterwards, Build your house. Don't be a witness against your neighbor without a reason. Don't deceive with your lips. Don't say, I will do to him as he has done to me. I will repay the man for his evil work. I went by the field of a lazy man, By the vineyard of a man without understanding. Notice, It was all grown over with thorns, Its surface was covered with weeds, And its stone wall was broken down. Then I observed and thought about it. I saw and received instruction. A little too much sleep, A little too much rest, A little too much folding of the hands to relax, And your poverty will come like a robber, And your needs like an armed man. Proverbs 25. These are also Proverbs of Solomon, Which the men of Hezekiah, King of Judah, Wrote down. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings to search out a matter. As high as the heavens and deep as the earth, So also the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Take away the impurities from the silver, And good material comes out for the craftsmen. Take away the wicked from the king's presence, And the wicked from the king's presence. And his throne will be established in righteousness. Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, Or claim a place among great men. For it is better that they say to you, Come up here, Than it is for them to put you in a lower position in the presence of the prince. Don't be quick to bring charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? Argue your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another, So that no one who hears it puts you to shame, And your bad reputation will never leave you. A word spoken appropriately at the right time is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like a golden earring and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise correction to an obedient ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain, So is the person who boasts of gifts never given. By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone. Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you. If you eat too much, You will become sick. Let your foot not enter into your neighbor's house often, Or else he will become tired of you and hate you. A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, A sword, Or a sharp arrow. Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot. As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, Or vinegar and soda, So is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. If your enemy is hungry, Give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, Give him water to drink, For you will heap coals of fire on his head and God will reward you. Like the north wind produces rain, So a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. It is better to live in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a distant country. Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, So is a righteous man who bows before the wicked. It is not good to eat much honey, And it is not honorable to seek one's own honor. Like a city that is broken down and without walls, Is a man whose spirit is without restraint. Proverbs 26. Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, Honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. A whip is for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And lashes for the backs of fools. Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or else you become like him. Correct a fool according to his foolishness or else he will be wise in his own eyes. One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is like cutting off their own feet and drinking violence. Like the legs of the lame that dangle loose, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As one who readies a stone in a sling, So is one who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn bush in the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. Like an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool, Or he who hires just anyone. Like a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The lazy man says there is a lion in the road, A fierce lion roams the streets. As the door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in an argument that is not their own. Like a madman who shoots torches, Arrows, And death is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was just joking. For lack of wood, A fire goes out. Without gossip, An argument dies down. As coals are to hot embers and wood to fire, So is an argumentative man to kindling trouble. The words of a whisperer are like tasty crumbs, They go down into the innermost parts. Like silver impurities on a plate are the lips of an eager one with an evil heart. A hateful man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart. When his speech is charming, Don't believe him. There are seven outrages in his heart. His hatred may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in front of all. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, It will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, And a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 27. Don't boast about tomorrow, For you don't know what today may bring. Let another man praise you, And not your own mouth, A stranger, And not your own lips. A stone is heavy, And sand is a burden, But a fool's aggravation is heavier than both. Rage is cruel, And anger is overwhelming, But who is able to stand before jealousy? Better is public correction than hidden love. The wounds caused by a friend are trustworthy, But an enemy gives an abundance of kisses. A person who is fool hates even honey, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home. Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, So does honest advice from a man's friend. Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother. Be wise, My son, And bring joy to my heart, Then I can answer my tormentor. A wise man sees danger and takes shelter, But the simple continue on and suffer for it. Take his coat when a man puts up collateral for a stranger, Hold it for a wayward woman. If you bless your neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be taken as a curse by him. A continual dropping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are the same. Restraining her is like restraining the wind or like grasping oil in your right hand. Iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens his friend. Whoever tins the fig tree will eat its fruit. He who looks after his master will be honored. Like water reflects a face, So a man's heart reflects the man. The grave and destruction are never satisfied, And a man's eyes are never satisfied. The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, But a man is refined by his praise. Even though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, His foolishness will not be removed from him. Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds, For riches are not forever, And a crown doesn't endure to all generations. The hay is removed and new growth appears, The grasses of the hills are gathered in. The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats are the price of a field. There will be plenty of goat's milk for your family and for the nourishment of your servant girls. Proverbs 28. The wicked run even when no one pursues, But the righteous are as bold as a lion. In a rebellion a land has many rollers, But order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge. A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. Those who ignore the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law resist them. Evil men don't understand justice, But those who seek God understand it fully. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his ways and is rich. Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, But he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor. He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is detestable. Whoever causes the upright to go off course in an evil way will fall into his own trap, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. When the righteous triumph there is great glory, But when the wicked rise men hide themselves. He who hides his sins doesn't prosper, But whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears, But one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. As a roaring lion or a charging bear, So is a wicked ruler over helpless people. A dictator lacks judgment. One who hates sinfully gotten gain will have long life. A man who is tormented by murder will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him. Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe, But one with perverse ways will fall suddenly. One who works his land will have an abundance of food, But one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man is rich with blessings, But one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, Yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. A stingy man hurries after riches and doesn't know that poverty waits for him. One who corrects a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue. Whoever robs his father or his mother and says it's not wrong is a partner with a destroyer. One who is greedy stirs up trouble, But one who trusts in God will prosper. One who trusts in himself is a fool, But one who walks in wisdom is kept safe. One who gives to the poor lacks nothing, But one who closes his eyes will have many curses. When the wicked rise, Men hide themselves, But when they perish, The righteous thrive. He who is often corrected and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly with no remedy. When the righteous thrive, The people rejoice, But when the wicked rule, The people groan. Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father, But a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. By justice, The king makes the land stable, But he who takes bribes tears it down. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. An evil man is snared by his sin, But the righteous can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge. Mockers stir up a city, But wise men turn away anger. If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, The fool rages and taunts, And there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity, And they seek the life of the upright. A fool vents all of his anger, But a wise man brings himself under control. If a ruler listens to lies, All of his officials are wicked. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common. God gives sight to the eyes of both. The king who fairly judges the poor, His throne will be established forever. The rod of correction gives wisdom, But a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. When the wicked increase, Sin increases, But the righteous will see their downfall. Correct your son, And he will give you peace. Yes, He will bring delight to your soul. Where there is no revelation, The people cast off restraint, But one who keeps the law is blessed. A servant can't be corrected by words, Though he understands he will not respond. Do you see a man who is quick with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end. An angry man stirs up trouble, And an angry man thrives in sin. A man's pride brings him low, But one of lowly spirit gains honor. Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, But dares not testify. The fear of man proves to be a snare, But whoever puts his trust in God is kept safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, But a man's justice comes from God. A dishonest man detests the righteous, And the upright in their ways detest the wicked. Proverbs 30 The words of Agur, The son of Jakah, The revelation, Said Ithiel and Yukal. Surely I am the most ignorant man, And don't have understanding. I have not learned wisdom, And do not have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has tied up the waters in his coat? Who has made all the ends of the earth? What is his name, And what is his son's name, If you know? Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take shelter in him. Don't add to his words, Or he'll correct you, And you'll be found to be a liar. Two things I have asked of you. Don't deny me before I die. Remove far from me deceit and lies. Give me neither poverty or riches. Feed me with the food that I need. Or I'll be fool, Deny you and say, Who is God? Or I'll be poor and steel, And so dishonor the name of my God. Don't slander a servant to his master, Or he'll curse you, And you'll be held guilty. There is a generation that curses their father and doesn't bless their mother. There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, But are not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, Oh, How condescending are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords and their jaws like knives, To devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among men. The leech has two daughters. Give, Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, Four that don't say enough, The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water, And the fire that doesn't say enough. The eye that mocks at his father and scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, The young eagles will eat it. There are three things which are too amazing for me, Four which I don't understand, The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a young woman. This is the way of an adulterous woman. She eats and wipes her mouth and says, I have done nothing wrong. For three things the earth trembles, And under four it can't bear up, For a servant when he is king, A fool when he is filled with food, For an unloved woman when she is married, And a servant who is heir to her mistress. There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise. The ants are not a strong people, But they provide their food in the summer. The hyraxes are a weak folk, But they make their houses in the rocks. The locusts have no king, But they advance in ranks. You can catch a lizard with your hands, But it gets in king's palaces. There are three things which are majestic in their march, Four which are majestic in going, The lion, Which is mightiest among animals and doesn't turn away for any, The strutting rooster, The male goat, And the kings secure from rebellions. If you have acted foolishly in praising yourself, Or if you have thought evil, Put your hand over your mouth, For as the churning of milk produces butter, And the twisting of the nose produces blood, So the forcing of anger produces trouble. Proverbs 31, The words of King Lemuel, The revelation which his mother taught him, O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my prayers, Don't give your strength to women, Or your efforts to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for princes to say, Where is his strong drink? Or else they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is ready to die, And wine to the devastated. Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left all alone. Open your mouth, Judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy. Who can find a worthy woman? For she is worth far more than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts her. He will have no lack of income. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. She rises early in the morning, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, She plants a vineyard. She works with strength and makes her arms strong. She knows that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. She lays her hands to the loom, And her hands hold the spindle. She opens her arms to the poor. Yes, She extends her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her family are clothed with scarlet. She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected in the gates when he sits among the leaders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. She takes good care of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of laziness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her. Many women do noble things, But you excel them all. Charm is deceitful, And beauty is vain. But a woman who fears God, She will be praised. Praise the work of her hands. Let her works praise her in the gates. Psalm 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in the ways of the wicked, Or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the seat of ridiculers. But whose delight is in God's law, Who meditates on God's law day and night. They will be like a tree planted by a stream of water, That produces fruit in its season, Whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not so. They are like the shaft which the wind blows away. Therefore, The wicked will not be able to stand in the judgment, Or sinners in the company of the righteous. For God knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 3 A prayer sung by David when he fled from his son Absalom. God, My enemies have increased. There are many who rise against me. Many say of me, God will not help him. But you, God, Are a shield around me. You are my glory and the one who lifts up my head. I cry out to God, And he answers me out of his holy hill. I laid down and slept, And I woke up again because God sustains me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who are against me on every side. Arise, God, Save me, My God. For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to God. May your blessing be on your people. Psalm 8 For the chief musician on an instrument of Gath. A prayer sung by David. God, Our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of babes and infants, You have built strength. Because of your enemies, That you might silence the enemy. When I consider your heavens, The work of your hands, The moon and the stars, Which you have designed, What is man that you would think of him? What are people that you would care for them? For you have made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor. You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and cattle and the animals of the field, The birds of the sky, The fish of the sea, And whatever passes through the paths of the seas. God, Our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth. Psalm 19 For the chief musician. A prayer sung by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies show the majesty of his work. Day after day they pour out speech, And night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth, Their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, Which is like a groom coming out of his room, Like a strong man rejoicing to run his path. His going out is from one side of the heavens to the other. There is nothing hidden from its heat. God's law is perfect, Restoring the soul. God's promise is reliable, Making simple people wise. God's rules are right, Bringing joy to the heart. God's commandment is pure, Giving vision for the eyes. The fear of God is pure, Enduring forever. God's laws are right, And altogether righteous. They are to be more desired than gold, Yes, Than much fine gold, Sweeter also than honey, And the extract of the honeycomb. Moreover, Your servant is warned by them, And keeping them there is great reward. What person can know all their sins? Forgive me from hidden sins. Keep your servant also from arrogant sins. Let them not have rule over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great wrongdoing. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. God my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 23, A prayer song by David God is my shepherd. I will lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me. Your rod and your staff, They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and love and kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in God's house forever. Psalm 27 by David God is my light and my salvation. Whom will I fear? God is the strength of my life. Of whom will I be afraid? When evil people came at me to eat up my flesh, Those who are my enemies, They stumbled and fell. Though an army should take position against me, My heart will not fear. Though war should rise against me, Even then, I will be confident. One thing I have asked of God, That I desire the most, That I may live in God's house all the days of my life, To see God's beauty and to learn in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will keep me secretly in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle, He will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock. Now, My head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tent. I will sing, Yes, I will sing praises to God. Hear, God, When I cry with my voice. Have mercy on me and answer me. When you said, Seek my face, My heart said to you, I will seek your face, God. Don't hide your face from me. Don't put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don't abandon me or forsake me, God of my salvation. If my father and mother forsake me, Then God will lift me up. Teach me your way, God. Lead me in a straight path because of my enemies. Don't deliver me over to the desire of my enemies. For liars have risen up against me and breathe out cruelty. I am still confident of this. I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. I wait for God. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, Wait for God. Psalm 33 Rejoice in God, You righteous. Praise his fitting for the upright. Give thanks to God with a harp. Sing praises to him with the instruments of ten strings. Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For God's word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the love and kindness of God. By God's word, The heavens were made. All the stars by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He lays up the deeps and storehouses. Let all the earth fear, Respect God. Let everyone stand in awe of him. For he spoke and it was done. He commanded and it stood firm. God brings the wisdom of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the people to be ineffective. The wisdom of God stands firm forever. The thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is God. The people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. God looks from heaven. He sees all the people. From the heavens, He looks out on all the people of the earth. He who forms all of their hearts. And he considers all of their works. There is no king saved by his large army. A mighty man is not delivered by his great strength. A horse is a weak hope for safety. It cannot save anyone by its great power. See, God's eye is on those who fear, Respect him. On those who hope in his love and kindness to deliver their soul from death. To keep them alive in famine. Our soul has waited for God. He is our help and our shield. Our heart rejoices in him. Because we have trusted in his holy name. Let your love and kindness be on us, God. Since we have hoped in you. Psalm 34 Their faces will never be covered with shame. This poor man cried and God heard him. And saved him out of all his troubles. God's angel surround those who respect him and delivers them. Oh, Taste and see that God is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Oh, Fear God, You his saints. For there is no lack with those who fear him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger. But those who seek God will not lack any good thing. Come, You children, Listen to me. I will teach you the fear of God. Who is someone who wants a long and prosperous life? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Stay far from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. God's eyes are on the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. God's face is against those who do evil. To cut off their memory from the earth. The righteous cry and God hears. And he delivers them out of all their troubles. God is near to those who have a broken heart. And saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the difficulties of the righteous. But God delivers him out of them all. He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. Evil will kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous will be condemned. God redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 37 by David Just like the sun at noon. Rest in God and wait patiently for him. Don't worry about those who prosper in their evil. Those who plot wickedness. Don't be angry and abandon rage. Don't fret, It only leads to sin. For sinners will be cut off. But those who wait for God will inherit the land. For after a little while, The wicked will be no more. Yes, Though you look for them, They will be gone. But the humble will inherit the land. And will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plots against the just. And snarls their teeth at them. The Lord will laugh at them. For he sees that theirs is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword. And have prepared their bow. To throw down the poor in need. To kill those who are upright on the path. Their sword will enter into their own heart. Their bows will be broken. Better is the little that the righteous has. Than the abundance of the wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken. But God upholds the righteous. God knows the days of the blameless. Their inheritance will be forever. They will not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine, They will be satisfied. But the wicked will perish. The enemies of God will be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish, Disappearing like smoke. The wicked borrow and don't pay back. But the righteous give generously. They are blessed by God and will inherit the land. Those who are cursed by God will be cut off. A man's steps are made firm by God. He delights in his path. Though he stumbles, He will not fall. For God holds him up with His hand. I have been young and now I am old. But I have never seen the righteous abandon or his children begging for bread. All day long, He deals graciously and lends. His children are blessed. Depart from evil and do good. Live securely forever. For God loves justice and doesn't abandon His saints. They are preserved forever. But the children of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land and live in it forever. The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. The law of God is in his heart. None of his steps will slide. The wicked watch the righteous and look to kill him. God will not leave him in their evil hands or condemn him when he is judged. Wait for God and keep His way. And He will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, You will see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, Spreading themselves like a green tree in its native soil. But they passed away and were no more. Yes, I looked, But they could not be found. Make note of the blameless man and see the upright. For there is a future for the man of peace. As for sinners, They will all be destroyed. The future of the wicked will be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from God. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. God helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they have taken refuge in Him. Psalm 62 for the Chief Musician To Jedithon, A prayer song by David My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from Him. He alone is my rock, My salvation and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken. How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, Like a tottering fence? They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth but they curse inwardly. My soul, Wait in silence for God alone. For my expectation is from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My fortress. I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, You people. Pour out your heart to Him. God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low standing are just a breath and men of high standing are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. Don't trust in oppression. Don't become vain in robbery. If riches increase, Don't set your heart on them. God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this, That power belongs to God. Also to you, Lord, Belongs love and kindness. For you reward every man according to his work. Psalm 91 You will not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow that flies by day or of the pestilence that walks in darkness or of the destruction that wastes in the day. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, But it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked because you have made God your refuge and the Most High your home. No evil will happen to you, Neither will any plague come near your home, For He will put His angels in charge of you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you won't dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot because He has set His love on me. Therefore, I will deliver Him. I will set Him on high because He has known my name. He will call on me and I will answer Him. I will be with Him in trouble. I will deliver Him and honor Him. I will satisfy Him with long life and show Him my salvation. Psalm 112 Psalm 121 Psalm 121 Psalm 139 For the Chief Musician A Prayer Song by David God, You have searched me, And you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You observe my thoughts from far away. You know my path and when I am lying down and are familiar with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, God, That you do not know. You border me in front and back. You put your hand on me. This knowledge is beyond me and not understandable to me. I can't imagine it. Where could I go from your Spirit, Or where could I run from your presence? If I go up into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in the grave, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn and settle in the remotest parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me, And your right hand will hold me. If I say surely the darkness will overwhelm me, The light around me will be night. Even the darkness doesn't hide from you. But the night shines like the day. The darkness is like light to you. For you formed my body. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My being wasn't hidden from you when I was made in secret, Woven together in the depths of the earth. You saw my body. In your book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, Even before I was born. How precious to me are your thoughts, God. How vast is their sum. If I would count them, They would be more in number than grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. If only, God, You would kill the wicked. Get away from me, You bloodthirsty men, For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. God, Don't I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. Search me, God, And know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. Ecclesiastes 3 Everything has a season and a time for every activity on earth. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest what was planted. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to stop searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to sew. A time to keep quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What profit does a worker get from his labor? I have seen the burden that God gives people to be troubled with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts so that man can't find out all the work God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and to do good as long as they live. Also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy his work. This is a gift from God. I know that whatever God does, It will be forever. Nothing can be added to it or taken away from it. God has done it so that men should fear, Respect Him. Whatever exists has been here from long ago. And whatever is to be has also been here from long ago. God seeks to do again what was done long ago. I also saw on earth in the place of justice that wickedness was there and in the place of righteousness that wickedness was there. I said to myself, God will judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time for every purpose and for every action. I told myself, God tests people for their sake so that they can see that they are like animals. For what happens to people also happens to animals. As one dies, Likewise does the other. They all have one breath. Man has no advantage over the animals for all is futile. All go to one place. All are from the dust and all return to the dust again. Who knows if the spirit of man goes up and if the spirit of animal goes down to the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to enjoy his works. For that is his reward. For who can show him what will exist after him? Ecclesiastes 12 Remember your Creator while you are young, Before troubling days come, And the years approach when you will say, I have no pleasure in them. Before the sun, The light, The moon, And the stars are darkened, And the clouds return after the rain, When those who watch over the house will tremble, And the strong men will bow down, And the grinders stop because there are only a few left, And those who look out of the windows are darkened, And the doors are shut in the street, When the sound of the mill is soft, And one wakes up at the sound of a bird, And the music of nature will be faint, They will be afraid of heights, And fears will be on the way, And the almond tree will blossom, And the grasshopper's leap will be a burden, And desire will fail, Because man goes to his everlasting home, And the mourners go about in the streets, Before the silver cord is severed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher is shattered at the spring, Or the wheel shattered at the reservoir, And the dust returns to the earth as it was before, And the spirit returns to God who gave it. Absolute futility, Says the teacher. Everything is futile. Because the teacher was wise, He still taught the people knowledge. Yes, He pondered, Sought out, And wrote many proverbs. The teacher sought acceptable words to accurately write words of truth. The words of the wise are like rods, And well-fastened nails are like words from the master given from one shepherd. Moreover, My son, Be warned, Of making many books there is no end, And much study wearies the body. This is the conclusion of the matter. Everything has been heard. Fear God, And keep his commandments, For this is the complete responsibility of man. For God will judge every action, Along with every hidden deed, Whether it is good, Or whether it is evil. Psalm 145 A Praise Psalm by David I will praise you, My God the King, I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you. I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is God, And greatly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will tell your works to another, And will declare your mighty acts. I will meditate on the righteous majesty of your honor, On your wondrous works. Men will speak of the power of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness. They will tell the memory of your great goodness, And will sing of your righteousness. God is gracious, Merciful, Slow to anger, And of great love and kindness. God is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works. All your works will give thanks to you, God. Your saints will extol you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, And talk about your power, To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, The glory of the majesty of his kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your rule endures throughout all generations. God is faithful in all his works, And loving in all his works. God upholds all who fall, And raises up those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. You open your hand, And satisfy the desire of every living thing. God is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works. God is near to all those who call on him, To all who call on him in truth. He will fulfill the desires of those who fear him. He will also hear their cry, And will save them. God preserves all those who love him, But he will destroy all the wicked. My mouth will speak the praise of God. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. Psalm 147 Praise the Lord, For it is good to sing praises to our God, For it is pleasant and fitting to praise him. God builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord, And mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. God upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground. Sing to God with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the sky with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass grow on the mountains. He provides food for the livestock, And for the young ravens when they call. He is not impressed in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. God takes pleasure in those who fear him, And those who hope in his love and kindness. Praise God, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool, And scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word and melts them, And causes his wind to blow, And the waters flow. He shows his word to Jacob, His commands and his laws to Israel. He has not done this for just any nation. They don't know his laws. Praise the Lord! Isaiah 40 Comfort! Comfort my people, Says God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, And call out to her that her warfare is over, That her sin is pardoned, That she has received from God's hand double for all her sins. The voice of one calls out, Prepare the way of God in the wilderness. Make a level highway in the desert for our God. Every valley will be lifted up, And every mountain and hill will be made low. The uneven will be made level, And the rough place is smooth. God's glory will be revealed, And all people will see it together. For the mouth of God has spoken it. The voice of one saying, Cry out! One said, What will I cry out? All people are like grass, And all their glory is like a flower of the field. The grass withers, The flower fades, Because God's breath blows on it. For certain, The people are like grass. The grass withers, The flower fades, But the word of God stands forever. You who tell good news to Zion, Go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, Lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up, Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, Look, Your God. See, The Lord God will come as a mighty one and will rule with his arm. Look, His reward is with him and his repayment before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them to his chest. He will gently lead those who have their young. Who has measured the waters in the palm of his hand and marked off the sky with his span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring cup and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills on a scale? Who has directed God's spirit or has taught him as his counselor? Who did he take advice with and who instructed him and taught him the path of justice and taught him knowledge and showed him the way of understanding? Look, The nations are like a drop in a bucket and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. See, He lifts up the islands like a very small thing. Lebanon is not sufficient to burn or its animals sufficient for a burnt offering. All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing and vanity. To whom then will you compare God to or what likeness will you compare to him? A craftsman has cast an image and the goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts silver chains for it. He who is too poor for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful craftsman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved. Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings rulers to nothing and makes the judges of the earth meaningless. They are recently planted. They are recently sown. Their stock has barely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them and they wither and the whirlwind takes them away like stubble. To whom then will you compare to me? Who is my equal, Says the Holy One? Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these, Who brings out the stars by number. He calls them by name, By the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, Not one is missing. Why do you say, Jacob, And speak Israel, My way is hidden from God and the justice due me is disregarded by my God? Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting Lord God, The creator of the ends of the earth, Doesn't faint. He isn't tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases strength to the one who has none. Even the youths faint and get tired and the young men completely fall. But those who wait for God will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be tired. They will walk and not faint. God does what is right and provides justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. God is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in love. He will not always accuse, Neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us for our sins. For as the heavens are above the earth, So great is his love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has he removed our sins from us. Like a father has compassion on his children, So God has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, His days are like grass, As a flower of the field, So he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone. It's remembered no more. But God's love is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him. His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep his covenant, To those who remember to obey his laws. God has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise God, You angels of his, Who are mighty in strength, Who fulfill his word, Obeying the voice of his word. Praise God, All you armies of his, You servants of his who do his pleasure. Praise God, All you works of his, In all places of his authority. Praise God, My soul. Psalm 136 Give thanks to God, For he is good, For his love and kindness endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, For his love and kindness endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who by understanding made the heavens, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who spread out the earth above the waters, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who made the great lights, For his love and kindness endures forever. The sun to rule by day, For his love and kindness endures forever. The moon and stars to rule by night, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, For his love and kindness endures forever. And brought out Israel from among them, For his love and kindness endures forever. With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who divided the Red Sea apart, For his love and kindness endures forever. And made Israel to pass through the middle of it, For his love and kindness endures forever. But overthrew Pharaoh and his armies in the Red Sea, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who led his people through the wilderness, For his love and kindness endures forever. To him who struck great kings, For his love and kindness endures forever. And killed mighty kings, For his love and kindness endures forever. Sion, King of the Amorites, For his love and kindness endures forever. Og, King of Bashan, For his love and kindness endures forever. And gave their land as an inheritance, For his love and kindness endures forever. Even a heritage to Israel his servant, For his love and kindness endures forever. Who remembered us in our lowest state, For his love and kindness endures forever. And has delivered us from our enemies, For his love and kindness endures forever. Who gives food to every creature, For his love and kindness endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, For his love and kindness endures forever. Psalm 147 Praise the Lord, For it is good to sing praises to our God, For it is pleasant and fitting to praise him. God builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in in power. His understanding is infinite. God upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground. Sing to God with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the sky with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass grow on the mountains. He provides food for the livestock and for the ravens when they call. He is not impressed in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. God takes pleasure in those who fear Him, And those who hope in His love and kindness. Praise God, Jerusalem. Praise your God, Zion. For He has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out His commandment to the earth. His word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool, And scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them, And causes His wind to blow, And the waters flow. He shows His word to Jacob, His commands and His laws to Israel. He has not done this for just any nation. They don't know His laws. Praise the Lord.