Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The Security of God's People

¹⁰ Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. ¹¹ I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. ¹² Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. ¹³ Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well. ¹⁴ Do not go where evil people go. Do not follow the example of the wicked. ¹⁵ Don't do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way. ¹⁶ Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone. ¹⁷ Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

¹⁸ The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. ¹⁹ The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over.

²⁰ My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. ²¹ Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. ²² They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. ²³ Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. ²⁴ Never say anything that isn't true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. ²⁵ Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don't hang your head in shame. ^26 (A)Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. ²⁷ Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.

¹² The Gentiles do not have the Law of Moses; they sin and are lost apart from the Law. The Jews have the Law; they sin and are judged by the Law. ¹³ For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. ¹⁴ The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. ¹⁵ Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. ¹⁶ And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.