Psalm 115

Glory to God Alone

Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory
because of your faithful love, because of your truth.(A)
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?” (B)
Our God is in heaven
and does whatever he pleases.(C)

Their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.(D)
They have mouths but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.(E)
They have hands but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk.(F)
They cannot make a sound with their throats.(G)
Those who make them are[a] just like them,
as are all who trust in them.(H)

Israel,[b] trust in the Lord!(I)
He is their help and shield.(J)
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!(K)
He is their help and shield.(L)
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!(M)
He is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;(N)
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord
small and great alike.(O)

14 May the Lord add to your numbers,
both yours and your children’s.(P)
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.(Q)
16 The heavens are the Lord’s,[c]
but the earth he has given to the human race.(R)
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
nor any of those descending into the silence of death.(S)
18 But we will bless the Lord,
both now and forever.(T)
Hallelujah!

Footnotes

  1. 115:8 Or May those who make them become
  2. 115:9 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr read House of Israel
  3. 115:16 Lit the Lord’s heavens

In Praise of a Wife of Noble Character

10 Who can find a wife of noble character?[a](A)
She is far more precious than jewels.[b]
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12 She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.(B)
15 She rises while it is still night(C)
and provides food for her household
and portions[c] for her female servants.(D)
16 She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.[d](E)
17 She draws on her strength[e]
and reveals that her arms are strong.(F)
18 She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.(G)
19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.(H)
20 Her hands reach[f] out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.(I)
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.[g]
22 She makes her own bed coverings;(J)
her clothing is fine linen(K) and purple.(L)
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.(M)
24 She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts[h] to the merchants.
25 Strength(N) and honor are her clothing,(O)
and she can laugh at the time to come.(P)
26 Her mouth speaks wisdom,
and loving instruction[i] is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the activities of her household(Q)
and is never idle.[j]
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women[k] have done noble deeds,
but you surpass them all!” (R)
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,(S)
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Give her the reward of her labor,[l]
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

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Footnotes

  1. 31:10 Or a wife of quality, or a capable wife
  2. 31:10 Vv. 10–31 form an acrostic.
  3. 31:15 Or tasks
  4. 31:16 Or vineyard by her own labors
  5. 31:17 Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
  6. 31:20 Lit Her hand reaches
  7. 31:21 LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
  8. 31:24 Or sashes
  9. 31:26 Or and the teaching of kindness
  10. 31:27 Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
  11. 31:29 Lit daughters
  12. 31:31 Lit the fruit of her hands

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor[a](A) and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies[b] and pray for those who[c] persecute you,(B) 45 so that you may be[d] children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(C) 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary?[e](D) Don’t even the Gentiles[f] do the same? 48 Be perfect,(E) therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:43 Lv 19:18
  2. 5:44 Other mss add bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,
  3. 5:44 Other mss add mistreat you and
  4. 5:45 Or may become, or may show yourselves to be
  5. 5:47 Or doing that is superior; lit doing more
  6. 5:47 Other mss read tax collectors

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