Proverbs 23:10-26

New International Version

Saying 11

¹⁰Do not move an ancient boundary stone^(A)
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹for their Defender^(B) is strong;^(C)
he will take up their case against you.^(D)

Saying 12

¹²Apply your heart to instruction^(E)
and your ears to words of knowledge.

Saying 13

¹³Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
¹⁴Punish them with the rod
and save them from death.^(F)

Saying 14

¹⁵My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad indeed;
¹⁶my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.^(G)

Saying 15

¹⁷Do not let your heart envy^(H) sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
¹⁸There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.^(I)

Saying 16

¹⁹Listen, my son,^(J) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:
²⁰Do not join those who drink too much wine^(K)
    or gorge themselves on meat,
²¹for drunkards and gluttons become poor,^(L)
    and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Saying 17

²²Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.^(M)
²³Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.^(N)
²⁴The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.^(O)
²⁵May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!^(P)

Saying 18

²⁶My son,^(Q) give me your heart
and let your eyes delight in my ways,^(R)

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Psalm 51:1-17

New International Version

Psalm 51^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.^(A)

¹Have mercy^(B) on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;^(C)
according to your great compassion^(D)
    blot out^(E) my transgressions.^(F)
²Wash away^(G) all my iniquity
    and cleanse^(H) me from my sin.

³For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.^(I)
⁴Against you, you only, have I sinned^(J)
    and done what is evil in your sight;^(K)
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.^(L)
⁵Surely I was sinful^(M) at birth,^(N)
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom^(O) in that secret place.^(P)

⁷Cleanse^(Q) me with hyssop,^(R) and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.^(S)
⁸Let me hear joy and gladness;^(T)
    let the bones^(U) you have crushed rejoice.
⁹Hide your face from my sins^(V)
    and blot out^(W) all my iniquity.

¹⁰Create in me a pure heart,^(X) O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.^(Y)
¹¹Do not cast me^(Z) from your presence^(AA)
    or take your Holy Spirit^(AB) from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation^(AC)
    and grant me a willing spirit,^(AD) to sustain me.^(AE)

¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,^(AF)
    so that sinners^(AG) will turn back to you.^(AH)
¹⁴Deliver me^(AI) from the guilt of bloodshed,^(AJ) O God,
    you who are God my Savior,^(AK)
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.^(AL)
¹⁵Open my lips, Lord,^(AM)
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶You do not delight in sacrifice,^(AN) or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷My sacrifice,^(AO) O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart^(AP)
    you, God, will not despise.