Proverbs 28

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.
5 The evil do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better the poor person who lives with integrity
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.
7 A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.
9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable.
10 The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.
13 The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.
14 Happy is the one who is always reverent,
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.
17 Someone burdened by bloodguilt
will be a fugitive until death.
Let no one help him.
18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong
will suddenly fall.
19 The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful person will have many blessings,
but one in a hurry to get rich
will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality —
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.
22 A greedy one is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That’s no sin,”
is a companion to a person who destroys.
25 A greedy person stirs up conflict,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.

Proverbs 29

One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly —
beyond recovery.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but a person who demands “contributions”
demolishes it.
5 A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil person is caught by sin,
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
8 Mockers inflame a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,
but the upright care about him.
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise person holds it in check.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 A king who judges the poor with fairness —
his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a youth left to himself
is a disgrace to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
18 Without revelation people run wild,
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
19 A servant cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.
20 Do you see someone who speaks too soon?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 A servant pampered from his youth
will become arrogant later on.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.
23 A person’s pride will humble him,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
24 To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.
25 The fear of mankind is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
26 Many desire a ruler’s favor,
but a person receives justice from the Lord.
27 An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.

Proverbs 30

THE WORDS OF AGUR
The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The pronouncement.
The man’s oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 I am more stupid than any other person,
and I lack a human’s ability to understand.
3 I have not gained wisdom,
and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his hands?
Who has bound up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name,
and what is the name of his son —
if you know?
5 Every word of God is pure;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Don’t add to his words,
or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
7 Two things I ask of you;
don’t deny them to me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.
Give me neither poverty nor wealth;
feed me with the food I need.
9 Otherwise, I might have too much
and deny you, saying, “Who is the Lord? ”
or I might have nothing and steal,
profaning the name of my God.
10 Don’t slander a servant to his master
or he will curse you, and you will become guilty.
11 There is a generation that curses its father
and does not bless its mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
yet is not washed from its filth.
13 There is a generation ​— ​how haughty its eyes
and pretentious its looks.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are swords,
whose fangs are knives,
devouring the oppressed from the land
and the needy from among mankind.
15 The leech has two daughters: “Give, Give! ”
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough! ”:
16 Sheol; a childless womb;
earth, which is never satisfied with water;
and fire, which never says, “Enough! ”
17 As for the eye that ridicules a father
and despises obedience to a mother,
may ravens of the valley pluck it out
and young vultures eat it.
18 Three things are too wondrous for me;
four I can’t understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship at sea,
and the way of a man with a young woman.
20 This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats and wipes her mouth
and says, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
21 The earth trembles under three things;
it cannot bear up under four:
22 a servant when he becomes king,
a fool when he is stuffed with food,
23 an unloved woman when she marries,
and a servant girl when she ousts her queen.
24 Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25 ants are not a strong people,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are not a mighty people,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27 locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught in your hands,
yet it lives in kings’ palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their stride;
four are stately in their walk:
30 a lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and doesn’t retreat before anything;
31 a strutting rooster; a goat;
and a king at the head of his army.
32 If you have been foolish by exalting yourself
or if you’ve been scheming,
put your hand over your mouth.
33 For the churning of milk produces butter,
and twisting a nose draws blood,
and stirring up anger produces strife.

Proverbs 31

THE WORDS OF LEMUEL
The words of King Lemuel,
a pronouncement that his mother taught him:
2 What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3 Don’t spend your energy on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire beer.
5 Otherwise, he will drink,
forget what is decreed,
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6 Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.
7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice,
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
9 Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
IN PRAISE OF A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER
10 Who can find a wife of noble character?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12 She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her female servants.
16 She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
17 She draws on her strength
and reveals that her arms are strong.
18 She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.
19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Her hands reach out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own bed coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she can laugh at the time to come.
26 Her mouth speaks wisdom,
and loving instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the activities of her household
and is never idle.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women have done noble deeds,
but you surpass them all! ”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Give her the reward of her labor,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Ecclesiastes 1

EVERYTHING IS FUTILE
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher.
“Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
3 What does a person gain for all his efforts
that he labors at under the sun?
4 A generation goes and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets;
panting, it hurries back to the place
where it rises.
6 Gusting to the south,
turning to the north,
turning, turning, goes the wind,
and the wind returns in its cycles.
7 All the streams flow to the sea,
yet the sea is never full;
to the place where the streams flow,
there they flow again.
8 All things are wearisome,
more than anyone can say.
The eye is not satisfied by seeing
or the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Can one say about anything,
“Look, this is new”?
It has already existed in the ages before us.
11 There is no remembrance of those who came before;
and of those who will come after
there will also be no remembrance
by those who follow them.
THE LIMITATIONS OF WISDOM
12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

15 What is crooked cannot be straightened;
what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, “See, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow;
as knowledge increases, grief increases.

Ecclesiastes 2

THE EMPTINESS OF PLEASURE
Isaid to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile.
2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish? ” 3 I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body ​— ​my mind still guiding me with wisdom — and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

THE EMPTINESS OF POSSESSIONS
4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock ​— ​large herds and flocks ​— ​more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

THE RELATIVE VALUE OF WISDOM
12 Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the king’s successor be like? He will do what has already been done. 13 And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.

14 The wise person has eyes in his head,
but the fool walks in darkness.
Yet I also knew that one fate comes to them both. 15 So I said to myself, “What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise? ” And I said to myself that this is also futile. 16 For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, since in the days to come both will be forgotten. How is it that the wise person dies just like the fool? 17 Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

THE EMPTINESS OF WORK
18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. 20 So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun. 21 When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. 22 For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 23 For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him? 26 For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

2 Corinthians 7:2–16

JOY AND REPENTANCE
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one. 3 I don’t say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.

5 In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, 7 and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he received from you. He told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it ​— ​since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while ​— ​9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. 11 For consider how much diligence this very thing ​— ​this grieving as God wills ​— ​has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your devotion to us might be made plain to you in the sight of God. 13 For this reason we have been comforted.

In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you. 14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been disappointed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth. 15 And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you.

— 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 (CSB)

2 Corinthians 8

APPEAL TO COMPLETE THE COLLECTION
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia:
2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will. 6 So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete among you this act of grace.

7 Now as you excel in everything ​— ​in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us ​— ​excel also in this act of grace. 8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it. 11 Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. 14 At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLLECTION
16 Thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he welcomed our appeal and, being very diligent, went out to you by his own choice. 18 We have sent with him the brother who is praised among all the churches for his gospel ministry. 19 And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gracious gift that we are administering for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us about this large sum that we are administering. 21 Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people. 22 We have also sent with them our brother. We have often tested him in many circumstances and found him to be diligent ​— ​and now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker for you; as for our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore, show them proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.

— 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 (CSB)