Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found

Jonah Goes to Nineveh

3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah^(A) a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

³ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. ⁴ Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming,^(B) “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.^(C)

⁶ When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.^{(D) 7} This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

¹⁰ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented^(N) and did not bring on them the destruction^(O) he had threatened.^(P)

Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Compassion

4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.^{(Q) 2} He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew^(R) that you are a gracious^(S) and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love,^(T) a God who relents^(U) from sending calamity.^{(V) 3} Now, Lord, take away my life,^(W) for it is better for me to die^(X) than to live.”^(Y)

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”^(Z)

⁵ Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. ⁶ Then the Lord God provided^(AA) a leafy plant^[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. ⁷ But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered.^{(AB) 8} When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die,^(AC) and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”^(AD)

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern^(AE) for the great city of Nineveh,^(AF) in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like^(A) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.^(B)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(C) a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(D) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds^(E) of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous^{(F) 50} and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(G)

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor^(H)

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables,^(I) he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,^(J) and they were amazed.^(K) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?^(L) Isn’t his mother’s^(M) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers^(N) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense^(O) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”^(P)

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,^(A) my joy and crown, stand firm^(B) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind^(C) in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,^(D) whose names are in the book of life.^(E)

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!^{(F) 5} Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^{(G) 6} Do not be anxious about anything,^(H) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{(I) 7} And the peace of God,^(J) which transcends all understanding,^(K) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(L) And the God of peace^(M) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(N) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(O) whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(P) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(Q) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(R)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(S) in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(T) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(U) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{(V) 16} for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(W) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{(X) 17} Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{(Y) 18} I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(Z) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(AA) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs^(AB) according to the riches of his glory^(AC) in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father^(AD) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AE)

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me^(AF) send greetings. ²² All God’s people^(AG) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ^(AH) be with your spirit.^(AI) Amen.^[a]