Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹ If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
² If the Lord had not been on our side^(A)
when men attacked us,^(B)
3 then they would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger against us.^(C)
4 Then the waters would have engulfed us;
the torrent would have swept over us;
⁵ the raging waters would have swept over us.^(D)

⁴ “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to mankind.
⁵ Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
⁷ For my mouth tells the truth,^(A)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.^(B)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,^(C)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
¹⁰ Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.^(D)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,^(E)
and nothing desirable can compare with it.^(F)
12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.^(G)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.^(H)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
¹⁴ I possess good advice and competence;^[a]
I have understanding and strength.^(I)
15 It is by me that kings reign^(J)
and rulers enact just law;
¹⁶ by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.^[b]
17 I love those who love me,^(K)
and those who search for me find me.^(L)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(M)
lasting wealth and righteousness.^(N)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.^(O)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
²¹ giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.