Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The Difference between Good and Sinful People

1 Happy is the man who does not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit with those who laugh at the truth. ² But he finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. ³ This man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.

⁴ Sinful men are not like this. They are like straw blown away by the wind. ⁵ So the sinful will not stand. They will be told they are guilty and have to suffer for it. Sinners will not stand with those who are right with God. ⁶ For the Lord knows the way of those who are right with Him. But the way of the sinful will be lost from God forever.

The Wisdom of Agur

30 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ithiel and Ucal:

² For sure, I am more foolish than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. ³ I have not learned wisdom, and I do not know much about the Holy One. ⁴ Who has gone up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has gathered the waters in His coat? Who has put in place all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name? For sure you know!

⁵ Every word of God has been proven true. He is a safe-covering to those who trust in Him. ⁶ Do not add to His words, or He will speak strong words to you and prove you to be a liar.

⁷ Two things I have asked of You. Do not keep me from having them before I die: ⁸ Take lies and what is false far from me. Do not let me be poor or rich. Feed me with the food that I need. ⁹ Then I will not be afraid that I will be full and turn my back against You and say, “Who is the Lord?” And I will not be afraid that I will be poor and steal, and bring shame on the name of my God.

¹⁰ Do not speak against a slave while talking with his owner, or he may curse you and you will be found guilty.

Paul Received the Good News from God

2 Christian brothers, when I came to you, I did not preach the secrets of God with big sounding words or make it sound as if I were so wise. ² I made up my mind that while I was with you I would speak of nothing except Jesus Christ and of His death on the cross. ³ When I was with you, I was weak. I was afraid and I shook. ⁴ What I had to say when I preached was not in big sounding words of man’s wisdom. But it was given in the power of the Holy Spirit. ⁵ In this way, you do not have faith in Christ because of the wisdom of men. You have faith in Christ because of the power of God.