Psalm 65:8-13

New International Version

⁸The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.^(A)

⁹You care for the land and water it;^(B)
    you enrich it abundantly.^(C)
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,^(D)
    for so you have ordained it.^[a]
¹⁰You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers^(E) and bless its crops.
¹¹You crown the year with your bounty,^(F)
    and your carts overflow with abundance.^(G)
¹²The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;^(H)
    the hills are clothed with gladness.^(I)
¹³The meadows are covered with flocks^(J)
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;^(K)
    they shout for joy and sing.^(L)

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Footnotes

Psalm 65:9 Or for that is how you prepare the land

Genesis 30:25-36

New International Version

Jacob’s Flocks Increase

²⁵After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way^(A) so I can go back to my own homeland.^(B) ²⁶Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you,^(C) and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”

²⁷But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes,^(D) please stay. I have learned by divination^(E) that the Lord has blessed me because of you.”^(F) ²⁸He added, “Name your wages,^(G) and I will pay them.”

²⁹Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you^(H) and how your livestock has fared under my care.^(I) ³⁰The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been.^(J) But now, when may I do something for my own household?^(K)”

³¹“What shall I give you?” he asked.

“Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: ³²Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat.^(L) They will be my wages.^(M) ³³And my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you check on the wages you have paid me. Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored,^(N) will be considered stolen.^(O)”

³⁴“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.” ³⁵That same day he removed all the male goats that were streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spotted female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-colored lambs,^(P) and he placed them in the care of his sons.^(Q) ³⁶Then he put a three-day journey^(R) between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.

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James 3:13-18

New International Version

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(A) by their good life, by deeds^(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^(D) ¹⁵Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^(F) ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^(K) ¹⁸Peacemakers^(L) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.^(M)