Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A Song of Ascents
God is Secure
125 Those who are trusting in the Lord
are like Mount Zion, which cannot be overthrown.
They remain forever.
2 Just as mountains encircle Jerusalem,
so the Lord encircles his people,
from now to eternity.
3 For evil’s scepter will not rest
on the land that has been allotted to the righteous,
and so the righteous will not direct themselves[a] to do wrong.
4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in heart.[b]
5 But for those who choose their own devious paths,
the Lord will lead them away,
along with those who practice evil.
Peace be upon Israel.
Introduction and Purpose
1 The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.
2 These proverbs are[a] for gaining[b] wisdom and discipline;[c]
for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring the discipline[d] that produces wise behavior,
righteousness, justice, and upright living;[e]
4 for giving prudence to the naïve,
and knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 Let the wise listen and increase their[f] learning;
let the person of understanding receive guidance
6 in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,
words of the wise, and their riddles.
The Major Theme
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[g]
The Minor Theme
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
9 They will be a graceful wreath for your head
and a chain for your neck.
Avoid Evil Counsel
10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us!
Let’s lie in wait for blood;
let’s ambush some innocent person for no reason at all.
12 Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol,[h]
and whole like those who go down into the Pit.[i]
13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable wealth,
and we’ll fill our houses with spoil.
14 Throw your lot in with us,
and all of us will have one purse.”
15 My son, do not go along with them,[j]
and keep your feet away from their paths!
16 For they[k] run toward evil;
these enticers[l] shed blood without hesitation.[m]
17 Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of[n] all the birds,
18 but these people[o] lie in wait for their own blood.[p]
They ambush only themselves.
19 Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain—
it takes away the lives of those who possess it.
God will Judge Everyone
2 Therefore, you have no excuse—every one of you who judges. For when you pass judgment on another person, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who act like this is based on[a] truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on those who practice these things and then do them yourself, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or are you unaware of his rich kindness, forbearance, and patience, that it is God’s kindness that is leading you to repent?
5 But because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart you are reserving wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 For he will repay everyone according to what that person has done: 7 eternal life to those who strive for glory, honor, and immortality by patiently doing good; 8 but wrath and fury for those who in their selfish pride refuse to believe the truth and practice wickedness instead. 9 There will be suffering and anguish for every human being who practices doing evil, for Jews first and for Greeks as well. 10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who practices doing good, initially for Jews but also for Greeks as well, 11 because God does not show partiality.
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