Week 51 Bible Reading Plan (December 18th-24th)

• Day 1

  Proverbs 1-2

  The Purpose of Proverbs

  The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

  For learning wisdom and discipline;

  for understanding insightful sayings;

  for receiving prudent instruction

  in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

  for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,

  knowledge and discretion to a young man—

  let a wise person listen and increase learning,

  and let a discerning person obtain guidance—

  for understanding a proverb or a parable,

  the words of the wise, and their riddles.

  The fear of the Lord

  is the beginning of knowledge;

  fools despise wisdom and discipline.

  Avoid the Path of the Violent

  Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,

  and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,

  for they will be a garland of favor on your head

  and pendants around your neck.

  My son, if sinners entice you,

  don’t be persuaded.

  If they say—“Come with us!

  Let’s set an ambush and kill someone.

  Let’s attack some innocent person just for fun!

  Let’s swallow them alive, like Sheol,

  whole, like those who go down to the Pit.

  We’ll find all kinds of valuable property

  and fill our houses with plunder.

  Throw in your lot with us,

  and we’ll all share the loot”—

  my son, don’t travel that road with them

  or set foot on their path,

  because their feet run toward evil

  and they hurry to shed blood.

  It is useless to spread a net

  where any bird can see it,

  but they set an ambush to kill themselves;

  they attack their own lives.

  Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly;

  it takes the lives of those who receive it.

  Wisdom’s Plea

  Wisdom calls out in the street;

  she makes her voice heard in the public squares.

  She cries out above the commotion;

  she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

  “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance?

  How long will you mockers enjoy mocking

  and you fools hate knowledge?

  If you respond to my warning,

  then I will pour out my spirit on you

  and teach you my words.

  Since I called out and you refused,

  extended my hand and no one paid attention,

  since you neglected all my counsel

  and did not accept my correction,

  I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.

  I will mock when terror strikes you,

  when terror strikes you like a storm

  and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

  when trouble and stress overcome you.

  Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;

  they will search for me, but won’t find me.

  Because they hated knowledge,

  didn’t choose to fear the Lord,

  were not interested in my counsel,

  and rejected all my correction,

  they will eat the fruit of their way

  and be glutted with their own schemes.

  For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them,

  and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

  But whoever listens to me will live securely

  and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”

  Wisdom’s Worth

  My son, if you accept my words

  and store up my commands within you,

  listening closely to wisdom

  and directing your heart to understanding;

  furthermore, if you call out to insight

  and lift your voice to understanding,

  if you seek it like silver

  and search for it like hidden treasure,

  then you will understand the fear of the Lord

  and discover the knowledge of God.

  For the Lord gives wisdom;

  from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

  He stores up success for the upright;

  He is a shield for those who live with integrity

  so that he may guard the paths of justice

  and protect the way of his faithful followers.

  Then you will understand righteousness, justice,

  and integrity—every good path.

  For wisdom will enter your heart,

  and knowledge will delight you.

  Discretion will watch over you,

  and understanding will guard you.

  It will rescue you from the way of evil—

  from anyone who says perverse things,

  from those who abandon the right paths

  to walk in ways of darkness,

  from those who enjoy doing evil

  and celebrate perversion,

  whose paths are crooked,

  and whose ways are devious.

  It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,

  from a wayward woman with her flattering talk,

  who abandons the companion of her youth

  and forgets the covenant of her God;

  for her house sinks down to death

  and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.

  None return who go to her;

  none reach the paths of life.

  So follow the way of the good,

  and keep to the paths of the righteous.

  For the upright will inhabit the land,

  and those of integrity will remain in it;

  but the wicked will be cut off from the land,

  and the treacherous ripped out of it.

• Day 2

  Proverbs 3-4

  Trust the Lord

  My son, don’t forget my teaching,

  but let your heart keep my commands;

  for they will bring you

  many days, a full life, and well-being.

  Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

  Tie them around your neck;

  write them on the tablet of your heart.

  Then you will find favor and high regard

  with God and people.

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

  and do not rely on your own understanding;

  in all your ways know him,

  and he will make your paths straight.

  Don’t be wise in your own eyes;

  fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

  This will be healing for your body

  and strengthening for your bones.

  Honor the Lord with your possessions

  and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

  then your barns will be completely filled,

  and your vats will overflow with new wine.

  Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,

  and do not loathe his discipline;

  for the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

  just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

  Wisdom Brings Happiness

  Happy is a man who finds wisdom

  and who acquires understanding,

  for she is more profitable than silver,

  and her revenue is better than gold.

  She is more precious than jewels;

  nothing you desire can equal her.

  Long life is in her right hand;

  in her left, riches and honor.

  Her ways are pleasant,

  and all her paths, peaceful.

  She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

  and those who hold on to her are happy.

  The Lord founded the earth by wisdom

  and established the heavens by understanding.

  By his knowledge the watery depths broke open,

  and the clouds dripped with dew.

  Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.

  My son, don’t lose sight of them.

  They will be life for you

  and adornment for your neck.

  Then you will go safely on your way;

  your foot will not stumble.

  When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

  you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

  Don’t fear sudden danger

  or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

  for the Lord will be your confidence

  and will keep your foot from a snare.

  Treat Others Fairly

  When it is in your power,

  don’t withhold good from the one to whom it belongs.

  Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.

  I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.

  Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,

  for he trusts you and lives near you.

  Don’t accuse anyone without cause,

  when he has done you no harm.

  Don’t envy a violent man

  or choose any of his ways;

  for the devious are detestable to the Lord,

  but he is a friend to the upright.

  The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,

  but he blesses the home of the righteous;

  He mocks those who mock

  but gives grace to the humble.

  The wise will inherit honor,

  but he holds up fools to dishonor.

  A Father’s Example

  Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,

  and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

  for I am giving you good instruction.

  Don’t abandon my teaching.

  When I was a son with my father,

  tender and precious to my mother,

  he taught me and said,

  “Your heart must hold on to my words.

  Keep my commands and live.

  Get wisdom, get understanding;

  don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.

  Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;

  love her, and she will guard you.

  Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.

  And whatever else you get, get understanding.

  Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

  if you embrace her, she will honor you.

  She will place a garland of favor on your head;

  she will give you a crown of beauty.”

  Two Ways of Life

  Listen, my son. Accept my words,

  and you will live many years.

  I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

  I am guiding you on straight paths.

  When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;

  when you run, you will not stumble.

  Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.

  Guard it, for it is your life.

  Keep off the path of the wicked;

  don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.

  Avoid it; don’t travel on it.

  Turn away from it, and pass it by.

  For they can’t sleep

  unless they have done what is evil;

  they are robbed of sleep

  unless they make someone stumble.

  They eat the bread of wickedness

  and drink the wine of violence.

  The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

  shining brighter and brighter until midday.

  But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;

  they don’t know what makes them stumble.

  The Straight Path

  My son, pay attention to my words;

  listen closely to my sayings.

  Don’t lose sight of them;

  keep them within your heart.

  For they are life to those who find them,

  and health to one’s whole body.

  Guard your heart above all else,

  for it is the source of life.

  Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,

  and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

  Let your eyes look forward;

  fix your gaze straight ahead.

  Carefully consider the path for your feet,

  and all your ways will be established.

  Don’t turn to the right or to the left;

  keep your feet away from evil.

• Day 3

  Proverbs 7-8

  My son, obey my words,

  and treasure my commands.

  Keep my commands and live,

  and guard my instructions

  as you would the pupil of your eye.

  Tie them to your fingers;

  write them on the tablet of your heart.

  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

  and call understanding your relative.

  She will keep you from a forbidden woman,

  a wayward woman with her flattering talk.

  A Story of Seduction

  At the window of my house

  I looked through my lattice.

  I saw among the inexperienced,

  I noticed among the youths,

  a young man lacking sense.

  Crossing the street near her corner,

  he strolled down the road to her house

  at twilight, in the evening,

  in the dark of the night.

  A woman came to meet him

  dressed like a prostitute,

  having a hidden agenda.

  She is loud and defiant;

  her feet do not stay at home.

  Now in the street, now in the squares,

  she lurks at every corner.

  She grabs him and kisses him;

  she brazenly says to him,

  “I’ve made fellowship offerings;

  today I’ve fulfilled my vows.

  So I came out to meet you,

  to search for you, and I’ve found you.

  I’ve spread coverings on my bed—

  richly colored linen from Egypt.

  I’ve perfumed my bed

  with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

  Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.

  Let’s feast on each other’s love!

  My husband isn’t home;

  he went on a long journey.

  He took a bag of silver with him

  and will come home at the time of the full moon.”

  She seduces him with her persistent pleading;

  she lures with her flattering talk.

  He follows her impulsively

  like an ox going to the slaughter,

  like a deer bounding toward a trap

  until an arrow pierces its liver,

  like a bird darting into a snare—

  he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.

  Now, sons, listen to me,

  and pay attention to the words from my mouth.

  Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;

  don’t stray onto her paths.

  For she has brought many down to death;

  her victims are countless.

  Her house is the road to Sheol,

  descending to the chambers of death.

  Wisdom’s Appeal

  Doesn’t wisdom call out?

  Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?

  At the heights overlooking the road,

  at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

  Beside the gates leading into the city,

  at the main entrance, she cries out:

  “People, I call out to you;

  my cry is to the children of Adam.

  Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;

  develop common sense, you who are foolish.

  Listen, for I speak of noble things,

  and what my lips say is right.

  For my mouth tells the truth,

  and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

  All the words from my mouth are righteous;

  none of them are deceptive or perverse.

  All of them are clear to the perceptive,

  and right to those who discover knowledge.

  Accept my instruction instead of silver,

  and knowledge rather than pure gold.

  For wisdom is better than jewels,

  and nothing desirable can equal it.

  I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness

  and have knowledge and discretion.

  To fear the Lord is to hate evil.

  I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,

  and perverse speech.

  I possess good advice and sound wisdom;

  I have understanding and strength.

  It is by me that kings reign

  and rulers enact just law;

  by me, princes lead,

  as do nobles and all righteous judges.

  I love those who love me,

  and those who search for me find me.

  With me are riches and honor,

  lasting wealth and righteousness.

  My fruit is better than solid gold,

  and my harvest than pure silver.

  I walk in the ways of righteousness,

  along the paths of justice,

  giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,

  and filling their treasuries.

  “The Lord acquired me

  at the beginning of his creation,

  before his works of long ago.

  I was formed before ancient times,

  from the beginning, before the earth began.

  I was born

  when there were no watery depths

  and no springs filled with water.

  Before the mountains were established,

  prior to the hills, I was given birth—

  before he made the land, the fields,

  or the first soil on earth.

  I was there when he established the heavens,

  when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

  when he placed the skies above,

  when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,

  when he set a limit for the sea

  so that the waters would not violate his command,

  when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

  I was a skilled craftsman beside him.

  I was his delight every day,

  always rejoicing before him.

  I was rejoicing in his inhabited world,

  delighting in the children of Adam.

  “And now, sons, listen to me;

  those who keep my ways are happy.

  Listen to instruction and be wise;

  don’t ignore it.

  Anyone who listens to me is happy,

  watching at my doors every day,

  waiting by the posts of my doorway.

  For the one who finds me finds life

  and obtains favor from the Lord,

  but the one who misses me harms himself;

  all who hate me love death.”

• Day 4

  Proverbs 9-10

  Wisdom versus Foolishness

  Wisdom has built her house;

  she has carved out her seven pillars.

  She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine;

  she has also set her table.

  She has sent out her female servants;

  she calls out from the highest points of the city:

  “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”

  To the one who lacks sense, she says,

  “Come, eat my bread,

  and drink the wine I have mixed.

  Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;

  pursue the way of understanding.

  The one who corrects a mocker

  will bring abuse on himself;

  the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.

  Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;

  rebuke the wise, and he will love you.

  Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still;

  teach the righteous, and he will learn more.

  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

  and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

  For by me your days will be many,

  and years will be added to your life.

  If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;

  if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

  Folly is a rowdy woman;

  she is gullible and knows nothing.

  She sits by the doorway of her house,

  on a seat at the highest point of the city,

  calling to those who pass by,

  who go straight ahead on their paths:

  “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”

  To the one who lacks sense, she says,

  “Stolen water is sweet,

  and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”

  But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,

  that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

  A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs

  Solomon’s proverbs:

  A wise son brings joy to his father,

  but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.

  Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,

  but righteousness rescues from death.

  The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry,

  but he denies the wicked what they crave.

  Idle hands make one poor,

  but diligent hands bring riches.

  The son who gathers during summer is prudent;

  the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.

  Blessings are on the head of the righteous,

  but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

  The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,

  but the name of the wicked will rot.

  A wise heart accepts commands,

  but foolish lips will be destroyed.

  The one who lives with integrity lives securely,

  but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.

  A sly wink of the eye causes grief,

  and foolish lips will be destroyed.

  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

  but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

  Hatred stirs up conflicts,

  but love covers all offenses.

  Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,

  but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.

  The wise store up knowledge,

  but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.

  The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;

  the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

  The reward of the righteous is life;

  the wages of the wicked is punishment.

  The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,

  but the one who rejects correction goes astray.

  The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,

  and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

  When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,

  but the one who controls his lips is prudent.

  The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;

  the heart of the wicked is of little value.

  The lips of the righteous feed many,

  but fools die for lack of sense.

  The Lord’s blessing enriches,

  and he adds no painful effort to it.

  As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,

  so wisdom is for a person of understanding.

  What the wicked dreads will come to him,

  but what the righteous desire will be given to them.

  When the whirlwind passes,

  the wicked are no more,

  but the righteous are secure forever.

  Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

  so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.

  The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

  but the years of the wicked are cut short.

  The hope of the righteous is joy,

  but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

  The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,

  but destruction awaits evildoers.

  The righteous will never be shaken,

  but the wicked will not remain on the earth.

  The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom,

  but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

  The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,

  but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.

• Day 5

  Proverbs 16-18

  The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,

  but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

  All a person’s ways seem right to him,

  but the Lord weighs motives.

  Commit your activities to the Lord,

  and your plans will be established.

  The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose—

  even the wicked for the day of disaster.

  Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;

  be assured, he will not go unpunished.

  Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,

  and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.

  When a person’s ways please the Lord,

  he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

  Better a little with righteousness

  than great income with injustice.

  A person’s heart plans his way,

  but the Lord determines his steps.

  God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;

  his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

  Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;

  all the weights in the bag are his concern.

  Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,

  since a throne is established through righteousness.

  Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

  and he loves one who speaks honestly.

  A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

  but a wise person appeases it.

  When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

  his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

  Get wisdom—

  how much better it is than gold!

  And get understanding—

  it is preferable to silver.

  The highway of the upright avoids evil;

  the one who guards his way protects his life.

  Pride comes before destruction,

  and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

  Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble

  than to divide plunder with the proud.

  The one who understands a matter finds success,

  and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.

  Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

  and pleasant speech increases learning.

  Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor,

  but the discipline of fools is folly.

  The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;

  it adds learning to his speech.

  Pleasant words are a honeycomb:

  sweet to the taste and health to the body.

  There is a way that seems right to a person,

  but its end is the way to death.

  A worker’s appetite works for him

  because his hunger urges him on.

  A worthless person digs up evil,

  and his speech is like a scorching fire.

  A contrary person spreads conflict,

  and a gossip separates close friends.

  A violent person lures his neighbor,

  leading him on a path that is not good.

  The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

  the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

  Gray hair is a glorious crown;

  it is found in the ways of righteousness.

  Patience is better than power,

  and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.

  The lot is cast into the lap,

  but its every decision is from the Lord.

  Better a dry crust with peace

  than a house full of feasting with strife.

  A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

  and share an inheritance among brothers.

  A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,

  and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

  A wicked person listens to malicious talk;

  a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

  The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,

  and one who rejoices over calamity

  will not go unpunished.

  Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

  and the pride of children is their fathers.

  Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;

  how much worse are lies for a ruler.

  A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner;

  wherever he turns, he succeeds.

  Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,

  but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

  A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person

  more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

  An evil person desires only rebellion;

  a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

  Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

  than a fool in his foolishness.

  If anyone returns evil for good,

  evil will never depart from his house.

  To start a conflict is to release a flood;

  stop the dispute before it breaks out.

  Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just—

  both are detestable to the Lord.

  Why does a fool have money in his hand

  with no intention of buying wisdom?

  A friend loves at all times,

  and a brother is born for a difficult time.

  One without sense enters an agreement

  and puts up security for his friend.

  One who loves to offend loves strife;

  one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

  One with a twisted mind will not succeed,

  and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.

  A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;

  the father of a fool has no joy.

  A joyful heart is good medicine,

  but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

  A wicked person secretly takes a bribe

  to subvert the course of justice.

  Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,

  but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.

  A foolish son is grief to his father

  and bitterness to the one who bore him.

  It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person

  or to beat a noble for his honesty.

  The one who has knowledge restrains his words,

  and one who keeps a cool head

  is a person of understanding.

  Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—

  discerning, when he seals his lips.

  One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

  he rebels against all sound wisdom.

  A fool does not delight in understanding,

  but only wants to show off his opinions.

  When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes,

  and along with dishonor, derision.

  The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,

  a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

  It is not good to show partiality to the guilty,

  denying an innocent person justice.

  A fool’s lips lead to strife,

  and his mouth provokes a beating.

  A fool’s mouth is his devastation,

  and his lips are a trap for his life.

  A gossip’s words are like choice food

  that goes down to one’s innermost being.

  The one who is lazy in his work

  is brother to a vandal.

  The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

  the righteous run to it and are protected.

  The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;

  in his imagination it is like a high wall.

  Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,

  but humility comes before honor.

  The one who gives an answer before he listens—

  this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

  A person’s spirit can endure sickness,

  but who can survive a broken spirit?

  The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

  and the ear of the wise seeks it.

  A person’s gift opens doors for him

  and brings him before the great.

  The first to state his case seems right

  until another comes and cross-examines him.

  Casting the lot ends quarrels

  and separates powerful opponents.

  An offended brother is harder to reach

  than a fortified city,

  and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

  From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

  he is filled with the product of his lips.

  Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

  and those who love it will eat its fruit.

  A man who finds a wife finds a good thing

  and obtains favor from the Lord.

  The poor person pleads,

  but the rich one answers roughly.

  One with many friends may be harmed,

  but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

• Day 6

  Proverbs 29 & 31

  Proverbs 29

  One who becomes stiff-necked,

  after many reprimands

  will be shattered instantly—

  beyond recovery.

  When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,

  but when the wicked rule, people groan.

  A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

  but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

  By justice a king brings stability to a land,

  but a person who demands “contributions”

  demolishes it.

  A person who flatters his neighbor

  spreads a net for his feet.

  An evil person is caught by sin,

  but the righteous one sings and rejoices.

  The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,

  but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

  Mockers inflame a city,

  but the wise turn away anger.

  If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

  there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.

  Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,

  but the upright care about him.

  A fool gives full vent to his anger,

  but a wise person holds it in check.

  If a ruler listens to lies,

  all his officials will be wicked.

  The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

  the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

  A king who judges the poor with fairness—

  his throne will be established forever.

  A rod of correction imparts wisdom,

  but a youth left to himself

  is a disgrace to his mother.

  When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,

  but the righteous will see their downfall.

  Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind

  and give you delight.

  Without revelation people run wild,

  but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.

  A servant cannot be disciplined by words;

  though he understands, he doesn’t respond.

  Do you see someone who speaks too soon?

  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

  A servant pampered from his youth

  will become arrogant later on.

  An angry person stirs up conflict,

  and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.

  A person’s pride will humble him,

  but a humble spirit will gain honor.

  To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;

  he hears the curse but will not testify.

  The fear of mankind is a snare,

  but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.

  Many desire a ruler’s favor,

  but a person receives justice from the Lord.

  An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,

  and one whose way is upright

  is detestable to the wicked.

  Proverbs 31

  The Words of Lemuel

  The words of King Lemuel,

  a pronouncement that his mother taught him:

  What should I say, my son?

  What, son of my womb?

  What, son of my vows?

  Don’t spend your energy on women

  or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

  It is not for kings, Lemuel,

  it is not for kings to drink wine

  or for rulers to desire beer.

  Otherwise, he will drink,

  forget what is decreed,

  and pervert justice for all the oppressed.

  Give beer to one who is dying

  and wine to one whose life is bitter.

  Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

  and remember his trouble no more.

  Speak up for those who have no voice,

  for the justice of all who are dispossessed.

  Speak up, judge righteously,

  and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

  In Praise of a Wife of Noble Character

  Who can find a wife of noble character?

  She is far more precious than jewels.

  The heart of her husband trusts in her,

  and he will not lack anything good.

  She rewards him with good, not evil,

  all the days of her life.

  She selects wool and flax

  and works with willing hands.

  She is like the merchant ships,

  bringing her food from far away.

  She rises while it is still night

  and provides food for her household

  and portions for her female servants.

  She evaluates a field and buys it;

  she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

  She draws on her strength

  and reveals that her arms are strong.

  She sees that her profits are good,

  and her lamp never goes out at night.

  She extends her hands to the spinning staff,

  and her hands hold the spindle.

  Her hands reach out to the poor,

  and she extends her hands to the needy.

  She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

  for all in her household are doubly clothed.

  She makes her own bed coverings;

  her clothing is fine linen and purple.

  Her husband is known at the city gates,

  where he sits among the elders of the land.

  She makes and sells linen garments;

  she delivers belts to the merchants.

  Strength and honor are her clothing,

  and she can laugh at the time to come.

  Her mouth speaks wisdom,

  and loving instruction is on her tongue.

  She watches over the activities of her household

  and is never idle.

  Her children rise up and call her blessed;

  her husband also praises her:

  “Many women have done noble deeds,

  but you surpass them all!”

  Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

  but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

  Give her the reward of her labor,

  and let her works praise her at the city gates.