Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
21 When I chose to be bitter
I was emotionally pained.
22 Then, I was too stupid
and didn’t realize I was acting like[a] a wild animal with you.
23 But now I am always with you,
for you keep holding my right hand.
24 You will guide me with your wise advice,
and later you will receive me with honor.
25 Whom do I have in heaven but you?
I desire nothing on this [b]earth.
26 My body and mind may fail,
but God is my strength[c] and my portion forever.
27 Those far from you will perish;
you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28 As for me, how good for me it is that God is near!
I have made the Lord God my refuge
so I can tell about all your deeds.
Advice for Everyday Life
22 A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth,
and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common—
the Lord created both of them.
3 The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
4 The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
along with wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person,
but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.
6 Train a child in the way appropriate for him,
and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.
7 The wealthy rule over the poor,
and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.
8 Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the anger he uses for a weapon[a] will be destroyed.
9 Whoever is generous[b] will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
11 Whoever loves purity[e] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
12 The Lord watches over anyone with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans[f] of the unfaithful.
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the street!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
a man experiencing the Lord’s wrath will fall into it.
15 A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself
and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy
will yield only loss.
Sayings of the Wise
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my teaching,
18 for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you
and have them ready on your lips.
19 As a result, your trust will be in the Lord,
that’s why I’m teaching you today, even you.
20 Have I not written for you 30 sayings
containing counsel and knowledge,
21 to teach you true and reliable advice,
so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you?
9 What, then, does this mean?[a] Are we Jews[b] any better off? Not at all! For we have already accused everyone, both Jews and Greeks, of being under the power of[c] sin. 10 As it is written,
“Not even one person is righteous.
11 No one understands.
No one searches for God.
12 All have turned away.
They have become completely worthless.
No one shows kindness, not even one person![d]
13 Their throats are open graves.
With their tongues they deceive.[e]
The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips.[f]
14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.[g]
15 They run swiftly[h] to shed blood.
16 Ruin and misery characterize their lives.
17 They have not learned the path to peace.[i]
18 They don’t fear God.[j]
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says applies to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore, God[k] will not justify any human being by means of the actions prescribed by the Law, for through the Law comes the full knowledge of sin.
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