Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
21 When my heart was sad
and I was angry,
22 I was senseless and stupid.
I acted like an animal toward you.
23 But I am always with you;
you have held my hand.
24 You guide me with your advice,
and later you will receive me in honor.
25 I have no one in heaven but you;
I want nothing on earth besides you.
26 My body and my mind may become weak,
but God is my strength.
He is mine forever.
27 Those who are far from God will die;
you destroy those who are unfaithful.
28 But I am close to God, and that is good.
The Lord God is my protection.
I will tell all that you have done.
22 Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3 The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
4 Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor, and life.
5 Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who guard themselves don’t have such problems.
6 Train children to live the right way,
and when they are old, they will not stray from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and borrowers are servants to lenders.
8 Those who plan evil will receive trouble.
Their cruel anger will come to an end.
9 Generous people will be blessed,
because they share their food with the poor.
10 Get rid of the one who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels, and insults will stop.
11 Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12 The Lord guards knowledge,
but he destroys false words.
13 The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
I might get killed out in the street!”
14 The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.
15 Every child is full of foolishness,
but punishment can get rid of it.
16 Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor,
and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Other Wise Sayings
17 Listen carefully to what wise people say;
pay attention to what I am teaching you.
18 It will be good to keep these things in mind
so that you are ready to repeat them.
19 I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
which give knowledge and good advice.
21 I am teaching you true and reliable words
so that you can give true answers to anyone who asks.
All People Are Guilty
9 So are we Jews better than others? No! We have already said that Jews and those who are not Jews are all guilty of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say:
“There is no one who always does what is right,
not even one.
11 There is no one who understands.
There is no one who looks to God for help.
12 All have turned away.
Together, everyone has become useless.
There is no one who does anything good;
there is not even one.” Psalm 14:1–3
13 “Their throats are like open graves;
they use their tongues for telling lies.” Psalm 5:9
“Their words are like snake poison.” Psalm 140:3
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and hate.” Psalm 10:7
15 “They are always ready to kill people.
16 Everywhere they go they cause ruin and misery.
17 They don’t know how to live in peace.” Isaiah 59:7–8
18 “They have no fear of God.” Psalm 36:1
19 We know that the law’s commands are for those who have the law. This stops all excuses and brings the whole world under God’s judgment, 20 because no one can be made right with God by following the law. The law only shows us our sin.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.