Don’t worry about the wickedor envy those who do wrong.For like grass, they soon fade away.Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good.Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you your...
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...
Why are the nations so angry?Why do they waste their time with futile plans?The kings of the earth prepare for battle;the rulers plot togetheragainst the Lordand against his anointed one.“Let us break their chains,” they cry,“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who...
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from...
How wonderful to be wise,to analyze and interpret things.Wisdom lights up a person’s face,softening its harshness. Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can...
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.No one is truly wise;no one is seeking God.All have turned away;all have become useless.No one does good,not a single one.”“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.Their tongues are filled with lies.”“Snake venom...
Only fools say in their hearts,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;not one of them does good! The Lord looks down from heavenon the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,if anyone seeks God.But no, all have turned...
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.Store my commands in your heart.If you do this, you will live many years,and your life will be satisfying.Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!Tie them around your neck as a reminder.Write them deep within your...
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...