Precepts and Warnings

24 Do not be (A)envious of evil people,
Nor desire to (B)be with them;
For their [a]minds plot (C)violence,
And their lips (D)talk of trouble.

(E)By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
And by knowledge the rooms are (F)filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

A (G)wise man is [b]strong,
And a person of knowledge [c]increases power.
For (H)by wise guidance you will [d]wage war,
And (I)in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom is (J)too exalted for a fool,
He does not open his mouth (K)at the gate.

One who (L)plans to do evil,
People will call a [e]schemer.
The (M)devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to humanity.

10 If you (N)show yourself lacking courage on the day of distress,
Your strength is meager.

11 (O)Rescue those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to the slaughter, Oh hold them back!
12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He (P)who weighs the hearts not (Q)consider it?
And (R)does He who (S)watches over your soul not know it?
And will He not [f](T)repay a person according to his work?

13 My son, eat (U)honey, for it is good;
Yes, the (V)honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that (W)wisdom is the same for your soul;
If you find it, then there will be a [g](X)future,
And your hope will not be cut off.

15 (Y)Do not lie in ambush, you wicked person, against the home of the righteous;
Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a (Z)righteous person falls seven times and rises again,
But the (AA)wicked stumble in time of disaster.

17 (AB)Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
18 Otherwise, the Lord will see and [h]be displeased,
And turn His anger away from him.

19 (AC)Do not get upset because of evildoers
Or be (AD)envious of the wicked;
20 For (AE)there will be no [i](AF)future for the evil person;
The (AG)lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, [j](AH)fear the Lord and the king;
Do not get involved with those [k]of high rank,
22 For their (AI)disaster will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that can come from both of them?

23 These also are (AJ)sayings of the wise:
To [l](AK)show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 One (AL)who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
(AM)Peoples will curse him, nations will scold him;
25 But (AN)for those who rebuke the wicked there will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 One who gives [m]a right answer
Kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside,
And (AO)make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward, then, build your house.

28 Do not be a (AP)witness against your neighbor for no reason,
And (AQ)do not deceive with your lips.
29 (AR)Do not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done to me;
I will [n]repay the person according to his work.”

30 I passed by the field of [o]a lazy one,
And by the vineyard of a person (AS)lacking [p]sense,
31 And behold, it was completely (AT)overgrown with weeds;
Its surface was covered with (AU)weeds,
And its stone (AV)wall was broken down.
32 When I saw, I [q]reflected upon it;
I looked, and received instruction.
33 (AW)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come like [r]a drifter,
And your need like [s]an armed man.

Similitudes and Instructions

25 These also are (AX)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

It is the glory of God to (AY)conceal a matter,
But the glory of (AZ)kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Take away the [t](BA)impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the (BB)smith;
Take away the (BC)wicked before the king,
And his (BD)throne will be established in righteousness.
Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place [u]as great people;
For (BE)it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Do not go out (BF)hastily to [v]argue your case;
[w]Otherwise, what will you do in [x]the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
[y](BG)Argue your case with your neighbor,
And (BH)do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not [z]pass away.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a (BI)word spoken at [aa]the proper time.
12 Like [ab]an (BJ)earring of gold and a (BK)jewelry piece of (BL)fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a (BM)listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the [ac]time of harvest
Is a (BN)faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (BO)clouds and (BP)wind without rain
Is a person who boasts [ad]of his gifts falsely.
15 Through [ae](BQ)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.
16 Have you (BR)found honey? Eat only [af]what you need,
So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become [ag]weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a (BS)sword, and a sharp (BT)arrow
Is a person who gives (BU)false testimony against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and [ah]an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a (BV)treacherous person in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [ai]soda,
Is one who sings songs to [aj]a troubled heart.
21 (BW)If [ak]your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will [al]heap burning coals on his head,
And (BX)the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
And a [am](BY)gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is (BZ)better to live on a corner of the roof,
Than [an]in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is (CA)good news from a distant land.
26 Like a (CB)trampled spring and a [ao]polluted well,
So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to (CC)search out [ap]one’s own glory.
28 Like a (CD)city that is broken into and without walls
So is a person (CE)who has no self-control over his spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:2 Lit hearts
  2. Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength
  3. Proverbs 24:5 Lit strengthens power
  4. Proverbs 24:6 Lit make battle for yourself
  5. Proverbs 24:8 Or deviser of evil
  6. Proverbs 24:12 Lit bring back to
  7. Proverbs 24:14 Lit latter end
  8. Proverbs 24:18 Lit it is evil in His eyes
  9. Proverbs 24:20 Lit latter end
  10. Proverbs 24:21 Or revere
  11. Proverbs 24:21 Or who change
  12. Proverbs 24:23 Lit regard the face
  13. Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest
  14. Proverbs 24:29 Lit bring back
  15. Proverbs 24:30 Lit an idle
  16. Proverbs 24:30 Lit heart
  17. Proverbs 24:32 Lit set my heart
  18. Proverbs 24:34 Lit one who moves about
  19. Proverbs 24:34 Lit a man with a shield
  20. Proverbs 25:4 Lit dross
  21. Proverbs 25:6 Lit of
  22. Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend
  23. Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest
  24. Proverbs 25:8 Lit its
  25. Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend
  26. Proverbs 25:10 Lit return
  27. Proverbs 25:11 Lit its time
  28. Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring
  29. Proverbs 25:13 Lit day
  30. Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood
  31. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger
  32. Proverbs 25:16 Lit your sufficiency
  33. Proverbs 25:17 Lit surfeited with
  34. Proverbs 25:19 Lit a slipping foot
  35. Proverbs 25:20 I.e., natron
  36. Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil
  37. Proverbs 25:21 Lit one who hates you
  38. Proverbs 25:22 Lit snatch up
  39. Proverbs 25:23 Lit tongue of secrecy
  40. Proverbs 25:24 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association
  41. Proverbs 25:26 Lit ruined
  42. Proverbs 25:27 Lit their

Do Not Envy Evil Men

24 Do not be (A)envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.

Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

(B)A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
(C)For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

(D)Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate.

He who (E)plots to do evil
Will be called a [a]schemer.
The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you (F)faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.

11 (G)Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not (H)He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man (I)according to his deeds?

13 My son, (J)eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
14 (K)So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a [b]prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not plunder his resting place;
16 (L)For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
(M)But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

17 (N)Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the Lord see it, and [c]it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 (O)Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, (P)fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These things also belong to the wise:

(Q)It is not good to [d]show partiality in judgment.
24 (R)He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Him the people will curse;
Nations will abhor him.
25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have (S)delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27 (T)Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

28 (U)Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
[e]For would you deceive with your lips?
29 (V)Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31 And there it was, (W)all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
33 (X)A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
34 (Y)So shall your poverty come like [f]a prowler,
And your need like [g]an armed man.

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

25 These(Z) also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

(AA)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

(AB)Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in (AC)righteousness.

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
(AD)For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

(AE)Do not go hastily to [h]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
(AF)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And [i]your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly (AG)spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 (AH)Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 (AI)Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like (AJ)clouds and wind without rain.

15 (AK)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 (AL)A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who (AM)sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 (AN)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
(AO)And the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And (AP)a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 (AQ)It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul,
So is (AR)good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a [j]polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So (AS)to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

28 (AT)Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:8 Lit. master of evil plots
  2. Proverbs 24:14 Lit. latter end
  3. Proverbs 24:18 Lit. it be evil in His eyes
  4. Proverbs 24:23 Lit. recognize faces
  5. Proverbs 24:28 LXX, Vg. Do not deceive
  6. Proverbs 24:34 Lit. one who walks about
  7. Proverbs 24:34 Lit. a man with a shield
  8. Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
  9. Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away
  10. Proverbs 25:26 ruined

Paul’s Ministry

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our [a](A)reception among you (B)was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been (C)treated abusively in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God [b]amid much [c](G)opposition. For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or [d]by way of (K)deceit; (L)but just as we have been approved by God to be (M)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (N)not intending to please people, but to please God, who [e](O)examines our hearts. For we never came [f]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext [g]for greed—(Q)God is our witness— nor did we (R)seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though [h]we could have [i]asserted our authority as (S)apostles of Christ. But we [j]proved to be [k](T)gentle [l]among you. (U)As a nursing mother [m]tenderly cares for her own children, in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to (V)share with you not only the (W)gospel of God, but also our own [n]lives, because you had become [o]very dear to us.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our (X)labor and hardship: it was by (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, of (AC)how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we [p]behaved toward you [q]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and (AE)imploring each one of you as (AF)a father would his own children, 12 so that you would (AG)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (AH)calls you into His own kingdom and (AI)glory.

13 For this reason we also constantly (AJ)thank God that when you received the (AK)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it (AL)not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, (AM)which also is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became (AN)imitators of (AO)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are (AP)in Judea, for (AQ)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, (AR)even as they did from the Jews, 15 (AS)who both killed the Lord Jesus and (AT)the prophets, and [r]drove us out. [s]They are not pleasing to God, [t]but hostile to all people, 16 (AU)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (AV)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always [u](AW)reach the limit of their sins. But (AX)wrath has come upon them [v]fully.

17 But we, brothers and sisters, having been orphaned from you by absence for a [w]short while—(AY)in [x]person, not in [y]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire (AZ)to see your face. 18 [z]For (BA)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, [aa](BB)more than once—and (BC)Satan (BD)hindered us. 19 For who is our hope, or (BE)joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [ab](BF)coming? Or is it not indeed you? 20 For you are (BG)our glory and joy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or coming to you
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or during
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle; or conflict
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 I.e., to conceal greed
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or been burdensome as
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
  11. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss infants
  12. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
  13. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
  14. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
  15. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved
  16. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
  17. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe
  18. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us
  19. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  20. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  21. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Lit complete their
  22. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever; lit to the end
  23. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour
  24. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face
  25. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart
  26. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because
  27. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice
  28. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence

Paul’s Conduct(A)

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (B)Philippi, as you know, we were (C)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

But as (E)we have been approved by God (F)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (G)not as pleasing men, but God (H)who tests our hearts. For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. (K)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (L)we might have (M)made demands (N)as apostles of Christ. But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (P)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (Q)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our (R)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, (S)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

10 (T)You are witnesses, and God also, (U)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 (V)that you would walk worthy of God (W)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God (X)without ceasing, because when you (Y)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (Z)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (AA)works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators (AB)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For (AC)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 (AD)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AE)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God (AF)and are [d]contrary to all men, 16 (AG)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always (AH)to fill up the measure of their sins; (AI)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Longing to See Them

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time (AJ)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but (AK)Satan hindered us. 19 For (AL)what is our hope, or joy, or (AM)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the (AN)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ (AO)at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile

The Psalmist in Sickness Complains of Enemies and False Friends.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

41 Blessed is one who (A)considers the [a]helpless;
The Lord will save him (B)on a day of [b]trouble.
The Lord will (C)protect him and keep him alive,
And he will be called [c](D)blessed upon the earth;
And (E)do not turn him over to the desire of his enemies.
The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You [d]restore him to health.

As for me, I said, “Lord, be gracious to me;
(F)Heal my soul, for (G)I have sinned against You.”
My enemies (H)speak evil against me,
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
And [e]when he comes to see me, he (I)speaks [f]empty words;
His heart gathers wickedness to itself;
When he goes outside, he tells it.
All who hate me whisper together against me;
They (J)plot my harm against me, saying,
“A wicked thing is poured out [g]upon him,
So that when he lies down, he will (K)not get up again.”
Even my [h](L)close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.

10 But You, Lord, be gracious to me and (M)raise me up,
That I may repay them.
11 By this I know that (N)You are pleased with me,
Because (O)my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.
12 As for me, (P)You uphold me in my integrity,
And You place me (Q)in Your presence forever.

13 (R)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 Or poor
  2. Psalm 41:1 Or evil
  3. Psalm 41:2 Or happy
  4. Psalm 41:3 Lit turn all his bed
  5. Psalm 41:6 Or if he
  6. Psalm 41:6 Lit worthlessness
  7. Psalm 41:8 Or within
  8. Psalm 41:9 Lit man of peace

The Blessing and Suffering of the Godly

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

41 Blessed is he who considers the [a]poor;
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive,
And he will be blessed on the earth;
(A)You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness;
You will [b]sustain him on his sickbed.

I said, “Lord, be merciful to me;
(B)Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
My enemies speak evil of me:
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
And if he comes to see me, he speaks [c]lies;
His heart gathers iniquity to itself;
When he goes out, he tells it.

All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me they [d]devise my hurt.
“An[e] evil disease,” they say, “clings to him.
And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.”
(C)Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,
(D)Who ate my bread,
Has [f]lifted up his heel against me.

10 But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them.
11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me,
Because my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,
And (E)set me before Your face forever.

13 (F)Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 helpless or powerless
  2. Psalm 41:3 restore
  3. Psalm 41:6 empty words
  4. Psalm 41:7 plot
  5. Psalm 41:8 Lit. A thing of Belial
  6. Psalm 41:9 Acted as a traitor