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Ecclesiastes 10:10
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 10:10
English Standard Version
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.[a]
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success
Ecclesiastes 10:10
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 10:10
New International Version
10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success.
Ecclesiastes 10:15
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 10:15
English Standard Version
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know (A)the way to the city.
Ecclesiastes 10:15
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 10:15
New International Version
15 The toil of fools wearies them;
they do not know the way to town.
James 1:5
English Standard Version
James 1:5
English Standard Version
5 (A)If any of you lacks wisdom, (B)let him ask God, (C)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
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James 1:5
New International Version
James 1:5
New International Version
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(A) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(B)
Ephesians 5:15-17
English Standard Version
Ephesians 5:15-17
English Standard Version
15 (A)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 (B)making the best use of the time, because (C)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what (D)the will of the Lord is.
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Ephesians 5:15-17
New International Version
Ephesians 5:15-17
New International Version
15 Be very careful, then, how you live(A)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,(B) because the days are evil.(C) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.(D)
Colossians 4:5
English Standard Version
Colossians 4:5
English Standard Version
5 (A)Walk in wisdom toward (B)outsiders, making the best use of the time.
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Colossians 4:5
New International Version
Colossians 4:5
New International Version
1 Corinthians 14:20
English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 14:20
English Standard Version
20 Brothers, (A)do not be children in your thinking. (B)Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be (C)mature.
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1 Corinthians 14:20
New International Version
1 Corinthians 14:20
New International Version
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.(A) In regard to evil be infants,(B) but in your thinking be adults.
Ecclesiastes 9:15-17
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 9:15-17
English Standard Version
15 But there was found in it (A)a poor, wise man, and he by his (B)wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that (C)wisdom is better than might, though (D)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
17 The words of the wise heard in (E)quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
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Ecclesiastes 9:15-17
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 9:15-17
New International Version
15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.(A) 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.(B)
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
2 Chronicles 23:4-11
English Standard Version
2 Chronicles 23:4-11
English Standard Version
4 This is the thing that you shall do: (A)of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers, 5 and one third shall be at the king's house and one third at the Gate of the Foundation. And all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord. 6 Let no one enter the house of the Lord except the priests (B)and ministering Levites. They may enter, for they are holy, but all the people shall keep the charge of the Lord. 7 The Levites shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand. And whoever enters the house shall be put to death. Be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”
8 The Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men, who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss (C)the divisions. 9 And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of God. 10 And he set all the people as a guard for the king, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house. 11 Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him (D)the testimony. And they proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, (E)“Long live the king.”
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2 Chronicles 23:4-11
New International Version
2 Chronicles 23:4-11
New International Version
4 Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors, 5 a third of you at the royal palace and a third at the Foundation Gate, and all the others are to be in the courtyards of the temple of the Lord. 6 No one is to enter the temple of the Lord except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the others are to observe(A) the Lord’s command not to enter.[a] 7 The Levites are to station themselves around the king, each with weapon in hand. Anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”
8 The Levites and all the men of Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered.(B) Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.(C) 9 Then he gave the commanders of units of a hundred the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of God. 10 He stationed all the men, each with his weapon in his hand, around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
11 Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy(D) of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!”
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 23:6 Or are to stand guard where the Lord has assigned them
Romans 16:19
English Standard Version
Romans 16:19
English Standard Version
19 For (A)your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you (B)to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
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Romans 16:19
New International Version
Romans 16:19
New International Version
19 Everyone has heard(A) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(B)
Acts 15:2-21
English Standard Version
Acts 15:2-21
English Standard Version
2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and (A)debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and (B)some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to (C)the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, (D)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, (E)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and (F)brought great joy to all (G)the brothers.[a] 4 (H)When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and (I)the apostles and the elders, and (J)they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to (K)the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, (L)“It is necessary (M)to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 (N)The (O)apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much (P)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, (Q)that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear (R)the word of (S)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (T)who knows the heart, (U)bore witness to them, (V)by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and (W)he made no distinction between us and them, (X)having cleansed their hearts (Y)by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why (Z)are you putting God to the test (AA)by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples (AB)that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we (AC)believe that we will be (AD)saved through (AE)the grace of the Lord Jesus, (AF)just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul (AG)as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, (AH)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AI)Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them (AJ)a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 (AK)“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[b] of mankind (AL)may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles (AM)who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 (AN)known from of old.’
19 Therefore (AO)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who (AP)turn to God, 20 but should write to them (AQ)to abstain from (AR)the things polluted by idols, and from (AS)sexual immorality, and from (AT)what has been strangled, and from (AU)blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, (AV)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 15:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 22
- Acts 15:17 Or rest
Acts 15:2-21
New International Version
Acts 15:2-21
New International Version
2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(A) to see the apostles and elders(B) about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(C) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(D) This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(E)
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(F) of the Pharisees(G) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(H)
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(I) 8 God, who knows the heart,(J) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(K) just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them,(L) for he purified their hearts by faith.(M) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(N) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(O) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(P) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(Q) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(R) 13 When they finished, James(S) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(T) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b](U)—
18 things known from long ago.[c](V)
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(W) from sexual immorality,(X) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(Y) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(Z)
Footnotes
- Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
- Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
Acts 6:1-9
English Standard Version
Acts 6:1-9
English Standard Version
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in these days (A)when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in (B)the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 (C)Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men (D)of good repute, (E)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But (F)we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, (G)a man full of faith and (H)of the Holy Spirit, and (I)Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, (J)a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and (K)they prayed and (L)laid their hands on them.
7 And (M)the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests (N)became obedient to (O)the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8 And Stephen, full of grace and (P)power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.
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Acts 6:1-9
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Acts 6:1-9
New International Version
The Choosing of the Seven
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(A) the Hellenistic Jews[a](B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(D) 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(F) in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters,(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(I) 4 and will give our attention to prayer(J) and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(K) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(L) also Philip,(M) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(N) and laid their hands on them.(O)
7 So the word of God spread.(P) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(Q) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(R) among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(S) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(T) and Asia(U)—who began to argue with Stephen.
Footnotes
- Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
Matthew 10:16
English Standard Version
Matthew 10:16
English Standard Version
Persecution Will Come
16 (A)“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be (B)wise as serpents and (C)innocent as doves.
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Matthew 10:16
New International Version
Matthew 10:16
New International Version
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.(B)
1 Chronicles 12:32
English Standard Version
1 Chronicles 12:32
English Standard Version
32 Of Issachar, men who (A)had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.
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1 Chronicles 12:32
New International Version
1 Chronicles 12:32
New International Version
32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do(A)—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
English Standard Version (ESV) 
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