Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 But the righteous, even if they die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time
or measured by number of years,
9 but understanding is gray hair for anyone,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.
10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him
and while living among sinners was taken up.(A)
11 He was caught up so that evil might not change his understanding
or guile deceive his soul.(B)
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.(C)
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years,(D)
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord;
therefore he hastened him from the midst of wickedness.(E)
Yet the peoples saw and did not understand
or take such a thing to heart,
15 that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect
and that he watches over his holy ones.(F)
The Triumph of the Righteous
16 The righteous who have died will condemn the ungodly who are living,
and youth that is quickly perfected[a] will condemn the prolonged old age of the unrighteous.(G)
17 For they will see the end of the wise
and will not understand what the Lord purposed for them
and for what he kept them safe.(H)
Footnotes
- 4.16 Or ended
Wisdom of Solomon 11:21-12:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
God Is Powerful and Merciful
21 For it is always in your power to show great strength,
and who can withstand the might of your arm?(A)
22 Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales
and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.(B)
23 But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,
and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.(C)
24 For you love all things that exist
and detest none of the things that you have made,
for you would not have formed anything if you had hated it.(D)
25 How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?
Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?(E)
26 You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.(F)
James 1:1-13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Salutation
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the dispersion:
Greetings.
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,(A) 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.(B) 6 But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.(C) 7,8 For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Poverty and Riches
9 Let the brother or sister of humble means boast in having a high position 10 and the rich in having been humbled, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.(D) 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord[a] has promised to those who love him.(E) 13 No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1.12 Gk he; other ancient authorities read God
James 1:1-13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Salutation
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the dispersion:
Greetings.
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy,(A) 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.(B) 6 But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.(C) 7,8 For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Poverty and Riches
9 Let the brother or sister of humble means boast in having a high position 10 and the rich in having been humbled, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.(D) 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord[a] has promised to those who love him.(E) 13 No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1.12 Gk he; other ancient authorities read God
Luke 13:18-35
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
The Parable of the Yeast
20 And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
The Narrow Door
22 Jesus[a] went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.(A) 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.(B) 25 Once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’(C) 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’(D) 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out.(E) 29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and take their places at the banquet in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”(F)
The Lament over Jerusalem
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me,[b] ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.(G) 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!(H) 35 See, your house is left to you.[c] And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[d] you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”(I)
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.