The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,(A) be strong(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say(C) in the presence of many witnesses(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering,(E) like a good soldier(F) of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(G) except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(H) Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(I) descended from David.(J) This is my gospel,(K) for which I am suffering(L) even to the point of being chained(M) like a criminal. But God’s word(N) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(O) for the sake of the elect,(P) that they too may obtain the salvation(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(R)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(S)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(T)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(U)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(V)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(W)
    for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(X) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(Y) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(AA) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.(AC) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(AF) must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.(AG) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(AH)

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(AI) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(AJ) out of a pure heart.(AK) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(AL) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(AM) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(AN) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(AO) who has taken them captive to do his will.

14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(E)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(H)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(O)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(Q)
    but a fool(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(S) does foolish things,(T)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(U)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(V)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(W)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(X)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(Y)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(Z)
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(AA)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(AB)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(AC)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(AD)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(AE)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(AF)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(AG)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(AH)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(AI)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(AJ)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(AK)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(AL)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(AM)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(AN)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(AO)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(AP)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(AQ)

15 A gentle answer(AR) turns away wrath,(AS)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(AT)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(AU)

The eyes(AV) of the Lord are everywhere,(AW)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(AX)

The soothing tongue(AY) is a tree of life,(AZ)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(BA)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(BB)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(BC)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(BD)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(BE)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(BF) of the wicked,(BG)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(BH)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(BI)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(BJ)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(BK)

11 Death and Destruction[c] lie open before the Lord(BL)
    how much more do human hearts!(BM)

12 Mockers resent correction,(BN)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(BO)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(BP)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(BQ)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(BR)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(BS)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(BT)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(BU)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(BV)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(BW)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(BX)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(BY)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(BZ)
    but with many advisers(CA) they succeed.(CB)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(CC)
    and how good is a timely word!(CD)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(CE)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(CF)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(CG) of the wicked,(CH)
    but gracious words are pure(CI) in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(CJ)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(CK)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(CL)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(CM)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(CN)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(CO)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(CP)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(CQ)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(CR)
    and humility comes before honor.(CS)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  3. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon

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