Proverbs 18

New International Version

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

²Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.^(A)

³When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.

⁴The words of the mouth are deep waters,^(B)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

⁵It is not good to be partial to the wicked^(C)
and so deprive the innocent of justice.^(D)

⁶The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.^(E)

⁷The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare^(F) to their very lives.^(G)

⁸The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.^(H)

⁹One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.^(I)

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;^(J)
the righteous run to it and are safe.^(K)

¹¹The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;^(L)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

¹²Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.^(M)

¹³To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.^(N)

¹⁴The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?^(O)

¹⁵The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,^(P)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.

¹⁶A gift^(Q) opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

¹⁷In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

¹⁸Casting the lot settles disputes^(R)
and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹A brother wronged^(S) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

²⁰From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.^(T)

²¹The tongue has the power of life and death,^(U)
and those who love it will eat its fruit.^(V)

²²He who finds a wife finds what is good^(W)
and receives favor from the Lord.^(X)

²³The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.^(Y)

Romans 12

New International Version

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform^(C) to the pattern of this world,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(E) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(F)—his good, pleasing^(G) and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³For by the grace given me^(H) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,^(I) ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body,^(J) and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts,^(K) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(L) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^(M) ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^(N) ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(O) if it is giving, then give generously;^(P) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere.^(Q) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(R) ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love.^(S) Honor one another above yourselves.^(T) ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(U) serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope,^(V) patient in affliction,^(W) faithful in prayer.^(X) ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(Y) Practice hospitality.^(Z)

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you;^(AA) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^(AB) ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another.^(AC) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.^(AD)

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(AE) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^(AF) ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^(AG) ¹⁹Do not take revenge,^(AH) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d]^(AI) says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary: