Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; 1 Corinthians 16

1 The proverbs of Solomon, King David's son, from Israel:

2 Their purpose is to teach wisdom and discipline, to help one understand wise sayings.

3 They provide insightful instruction, which is righteous, just, and full of integrity.

4 They make the naive mature, the young knowledgeable and discreet.

5 The wise hear them and grow in wisdom; those with understanding gain guidance.

6 They help one understand proverbs and difficult sayings, the words of the wise, and their puzzles.

7 Wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction; don't neglect your mother's teaching;

9 for they are a graceful wreath on your head, and beads for your neck.

10 My son, don't let sinners entice you. Don't go

11 when they say: "Come with us. Let's set up a deadly ambush. Let's secretly wait for the innocent just for fun.

12 Let's swallow up the living like the grave— whole, like those who go down into the pit.

13 We'll find all sorts of precious wealth; we'll fill our houses with plunder.

14 Throw in your lot with us; we'll share our money."

15 My son, don't go on the path with them; keep your feet from their way,

16 because their feet run to evil; they hurry to spill blood.

17 It's useless to cast a net in the sight of a bird.

18 But these sinners set up a deadly ambush; they lie in wait for their own lives.

19 These are the ways of all who seek unjust gain; it costs them their lives.

20 Wisdom shouts in the street; in the public square she raises her voice.

21 Above the noisy crowd, she calls out. At the entrances of the city gates, she has her say:

22 "How long will you clueless people love your naïveté, mockers hold their mocking dear, and fools hate knowledge?

23 You should respond when I correct you. Look, I'll pour out my spirit on you. I'll reveal my words to you.

24 I invited you, but you rejected me; I stretched out my hand to you, but you paid no attention.

25 You ignored all my advice, and you didn't want me to correct you.

26 So I'll laugh at your disaster; I'll make fun of you when dread comes over you,

27 when terror hits you like a hurricane, and your disaster comes in like a tornado, when distress and oppression overcome you.

28 Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will seek me, but won't find me

29 because they hated knowledge and didn't choose the fear of the LORD.

30 They didn't want my advice; they rejected all my corrections.

31 They will eat from the fruit of their way, and they'll be full of their own schemes.

32 The immature will die because they turn away; smugness will destroy fools.

33 Those who obey me will dwell securely, untroubled by the dread of harm."

1 My son, accept my words and store up my commands.

2 Turn your ear toward wisdom, and stretch your mind toward understanding.

3 Call out for insight, and cry aloud for understanding.

4 Seek it like silver; search for it like hidden treasure.

5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God.

6 The LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He reserves ability for those with integrity. He is a shield for those who live a blameless life.

8 He protects the paths of justice and guards the way of those who are loyal to him.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, as well as integrity, every good course.

10 Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight.

11 Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you.

12 Wisdom will rescue you from the evil path, from people who twist their words.

13 They forsake the way of integrity and go on obscure paths.

14 They enjoy doing evil, rejoicing in their twisted evil.

15 Their paths are confused; they get lost on their way.

16 Wisdom will rescue you from the mysterious woman, from the foreign woman with her slick words.

17 She leaves behind the partner of her youth; she even forgets her covenant with God.

18 Her house sinks down to death, and her paths go down to the shadowy dead.

19 All those who go to her will never return; they will never again reach the ways of the living.

20 So you should stay on the path of good people, guarding the road of the righteous.

21 Those who have integrity will dwell in the land; the innocent will remain in it.

22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped up.

1 Concerning the collection of money for God's people: You should do what I have directed the churches in Galatia to do.

2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside whatever you can afford from what you earn so that the collection won't be delayed until I come.

3 Then when I get there, I'll send whomever you approve to Jerusalem with letters of recommendation to bring your gift.

4 If it seems right for me to go too, they'll travel with me.

5 I'll come to you after I go through Macedonia, and because I'm going through Macedonia,

6 I may stay with you or even spend the winter there in Corinth so that you can send me on my way to wherever I'm off to next.

7 I don't want to make a quick visit to you, since I hope to spend some time with you if the Lord lets it happen.

8 I'll stay here in Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost.

9 In spite of the fact that there are many opponents, a big and productive opportunity has opened up for my mission here.

10 If Timothy comes to you, be sure that he has no reason to be afraid while he's with you, because he does the work of the Lord just like I do.

11 So don't let anyone disrespect him, but send him on in peace so he can join me. I'm waiting for him along with the brothers and sisters.

12 Concerning Apollos our brother: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the brothers and sisters, but he didn't want to go now. He'll come when he has an opportunity.

13 Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong.

14 Everything should be done in love.

15 Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to do something else. You know that the people in Stephanas' household were the first crop of the harvest to come from the mission to Achaia. They have dedicated themselves to the service of God's people.

16 So accept the authority of people like them and of anyone who cooperates and works hard.

17 I'm so happy that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived; they've made up for my missing you.

18 Indeed they've provided my spirit and yours with a much-needed rest. Therefore, give them proper recognition.

19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house.

20 All the brothers and sisters greet you. You in turn should greet each other with a holy kiss.

21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.

22 A curse on anyone who doesn't love the Lord. Come, Lord!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love is with all of you in Christ Jesus.