Wisdom of Solomon 7:15-8:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Prayer for Wisdom
15 May God grant me to speak with judgment
and to have thoughts worthy of what I have received,
for he is the guide even of wisdom
and the corrector of the wise.(A)
16 For both we and our words are in his hand,
as are all understanding and skill in crafts.(B)
17 For it is he who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists,
to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements,(C)
18 the beginning and end and middle of times,
the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons,
19 the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,(D)
20 the natures of animals and the tempers of wild animals,
the powers of spirits[a] and the thoughts of human beings,
the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;(E)
21 I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,
22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.
The Nature of Wisdom
There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
agile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
23 irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.(F)
24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.(G)
25 For she is a breath of the power of God
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.(H)
26 For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.(I)
27 Although she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
in every generation she passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God and prophets,(J)
28 for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.
29 She is more beautiful than the sun
and excels every constellation of the stars.
Compared with the light she is found to be more radiant,(K)
30 for it is succeeded by the night,
but against wisdom evil does not prevail.
8 She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,
and she orders all things well.(L)
Footnotes
- 7.20 Or winds
Sirach 27:30-28:9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Anger and Vengeance
30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.
28 The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance,
for he keeps a strict account of[a] their sins.(A)
2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done,
and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.(B)
3 Does anyone harbor anger against another
and expect healing from the Lord?(C)
4 If people have no mercy toward those like themselves,
can they then seek pardon for their own sins?
5 If mere mortals harbor wrath,
who will make an atoning sacrifice for their sins?
6 Remember the end of your life and set enmity aside;
remember corruption and death and be true to the commandments.(D)
7 Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor;
remember the covenant of the Most High and overlook faults.(E)
8 Refrain from strife, and your sins will be fewer,
for the hot-tempered kindle strife(F)
9 and the sinner disrupts friendships
and sows discord among those who are at peace.(G)
Footnotes
- 28.1 Other ancient authorities read for he firmly establishes
James 3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Taming the Tongue
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will face stricter judgment.(A) 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature,[a] able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.(B) 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a such a small fire!(C) 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.[b](D) 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless[c] evil, full of deadly poison.(E) 9 With it we bless the Lord[d] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God.(F) 10 From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.(G) 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. 15 This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.(H) 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.(I) 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.(J) 18 And the fruit of righteousness[e] is sown in peace by those who make peace.(K)
Luke 15:1-10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.(A) 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”(B)
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.(C)
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(D)
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.