Lord, through all the generationsyou have been our home!Before the mountains were born,before you gave birth to the earth and the world,from beginning to end, you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying,“Return to dust, you mortals!”For you, a thousand years are as a...

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.And the day you die is better than the day you are born.Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart.Sorrow is better than laughter,for sadness...

There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity. God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die,...

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!Sing about the glory of his name!Tell the world how glorious he is.Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.Everything on earth will worship you;they will sing your praises,shouting your name in...

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But...

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is,...

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of...

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he...

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you...

I cry out to the Lord;I plead for the Lord’s mercy.I pour out my complaints before himand tell him all my troubles.When I am overwhelmed,you alone know the way I should turn.Wherever I go,my enemies have set traps for me.I look for someone to come...

The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. So...

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if...

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get...

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.Learn from their ways and become wise!Though they have no princeor governor or ruler to make them work,they labor hard all summer,gathering food for the winter.But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?When will you wake up?A little...

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. “Fools fold their idle hands,leading them to ruin.” And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietnessthan two handfuls with hard workand chasing the wind.” I...

This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth,...

Truly God is good to Israel,to those whose hearts are pure.But as for me, I almost lost my footing.My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.For I envied the proudwhen I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.They seem to live such painless lives;their bodies...

O Lord, why do you stand so far away?Why do you hide when I am in trouble?The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.For they brag about their evil desires;they praise the greedy and curse the...

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we...

“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and...

I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt! I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.” I also thought about the...

Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;it is fitting for the pure to praise him.Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.Sing a new song of praise to him;play skillfully on the harp, and sing with...

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when...

King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs,how...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you...