Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
121 I have done what is fair and right. Do not leave me to those who would make it hard for me. 122 Promise that You will bring good to Your servant. Do not let the proud make it hard for me. 123 My eyes become weak with desire for Your saving power and for Your Word that is right and good. 124 Act in Your loving-kindness toward Your servant, and teach me Your Laws. 125 I am Your servant. Give me understanding so I may know Your Law. 126 It is time for You to work, Lord, for they have broken Your Law. 127 I love Your Word more than gold, more than pure gold. 128 And so I look upon all of Your Law as right. I hate every false way.
Wise Sayings for Good Use
1 These are the wise sayings of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 They show you how to know wisdom and teaching, to find the words of understanding. 3 They help you learn about the ways of wisdom and what is right and fair. 4 They give wisdom to the child-like, and much learning and wisdom to those who are young. 5 A wise man will hear and grow in learning. A man of understanding will become able 6 to understand a saying and a picture-story, the words of the wise and what they mean.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of much learning. Fools hate wisdom and teaching.
20 Wisdom calls out in the street. She lifts her voice in the center of town. 21 There she cries out in the noisy streets. At the open gates of the city she speaks: 22 “O foolish ones, how long will you love being foolish? How long will those who laugh at others be happy in their laughing? How long will fools hate much learning? 23 Listen to my strong words! See, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you. 24 I called but you would not listen. I put out my hand and no one gave it a thought. 25 You did not listen when I told you what you should do, and you would not hear any of my strong words. 26 So I will laugh at your trouble. I will laugh when you are afraid. 27 Fear will come to you like a storm. Hard times will come like a strong wind. When trouble and suffering come upon you, 28 then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated much learning, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. 30 They would not listen when I told them what they should do. They laughed at all my strong words. 31 So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own plans. 32 For the foolish will be killed by their turning away. The trust that fools put in themselves will destroy them. 33 But he who listens to me will live free from danger, and he will rest easy from the fear of what is sinful.”
The Picture-Story of the Mustard Seed
30 Jesus said, “In what way can we show what the holy nation of God is like? Or what picture-story can we use to help you understand? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed that is planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds. 32 After it is put in the ground, it grows and becomes the largest of the spices. It puts out long branches so birds of the sky can live in it.” 33 As they were able to understand, He spoke the Word to them by using many picture-stories. 34 Jesus helped His followers understand everything when He was alone with them.
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