Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

²¹ Thus my heart was embittered,
    and I was pierced in my feelings.
²² I was a brute and did not understand;
    I was as a beast before You.

²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You;
    You have held me by my right hand.
²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel,
    and afterward receive me to glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart fails,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

²⁷ For those who are far from You will perish;
    You destroy everyone who is unfaithful to You.
²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God;
    I have taken my refuge in the Lord God,
    that I may declare all Your works.

29 He who is often reproved, yet hardens his neck,
    will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
    but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

³ Whoever loves wisdom rejoices his father,
    but he who keeps company with harlots spends his substance.

⁴ The king establishes the land by judgment,
    but he who receives bribes overthrows it.

⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.

⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare,
    but the righteous sing and rejoice.

⁷ The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
    but the wicked regards not to know it.

⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare,
    but wise men turn away wrath.

⁹ If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
    whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright,
    but the just seek his soul.

¹¹ A fool utters all his mind,
    but a wise man keeps it in until afterwards.

¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
    all his servants are wicked.

¹³ The poor and the deceitful man have this in common:
    The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ The king who faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.

¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.

¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
    but the righteous will see their fall.

¹⁷ Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
    yes, he will give delight to your soul.

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish;
    but happy is he who keeps the teaching.

¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words,
    for though he understands he will not answer.

²⁰ Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

²¹ He who delicately brings up his servant from a child
    will have him as a son in the end.

²² An angry man stirs up strife,
    and a furious man abounds in transgression.

²³ A man’s pride will bring him low,
    but honor will uphold the humble in spirit.

²⁴ Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul;
    he hears the oath but tells nothing.

²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare,
    but whoever puts his trust in the Lord will be safe.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but every man’s judgment comes from the Lord.

²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the just,
    and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.