Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
21 When my heart was embittered
and I was pierced in my heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant.
I was like a beast before You.
23 Yet I am continually with You.
You hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
On earth there is none I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those far from You will perish.
You put an end to all who like a harlot are unfaithful to You.
28 But for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made my Lord Adonai my refuge.
So I will tell of all Your works.
The Glory of Searching a Matter
25 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter
and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 As high as heaven and deep as earth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove impurities from silver
and out comes material for the refiner.
5 Remove the wicked from before the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not honor yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not stand in the place of great men.
7 Better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for you to be humiliated before a nobleman.
What your eyes have seen,
8 do not bring hastily to court,
or what will you do afterward,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your associate,
without betraying another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it will shame you,
and you will never lose your bad reputation.
A Fitting Reproof is Precious
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
is a word aptly spoken.
12 Like a gold earring or a gold ornament
is a wise reproof to a receptive ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a faithful messenger to those who send him
for he refreshes his master’s soul.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts about a gift not given.
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs for Daily Life
16 When you find honey, eat just enough,
lest you are stuffed and vomit it.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
lest he become weary of you and loathe you.
18 Like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
is one who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is confidence in the unfaithful in time of trouble.
20 Like taking off a garment on a cold day
or like vinegar poured on soda,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head[a]
and Adonai will reward you.
23 A north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue angry faces.
24 Better to dwell in a corner of a roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous person who yields before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
or honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
is one with no control over his temper.
Put Off the Old, Put On the New
3 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Messiah, keep seeking the things above—where Messiah is, sitting at the right hand of God. [a] 2 Focus your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. [b] 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in God. 4 When Messiah, who is your[c] life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him, in glory!
5 Therefore, put to death what is earthly in you—sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed—for that is idolatry. 6 Because of such things God’s wrath is coming upon the sons of disobedience. 7 At one time you also walked in these ways, when you used to live in these ways. 8 But now, set them all aside—anger, rage, malice, slander, and foul language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another.[d] After all, you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self that is being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of the One who created him. [e] 11 Here there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, savage,[f] slave and free; but Messiah is all, and in all.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.