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Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; 1 Corinthians 16

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Proverbs 1

1 The proverbs of Solomon, David's son who was king of Israel, [given]
2 to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts,
3 to acquire the discipline of wise behavior-- righteousness and justice and fairness--
4 to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young--
5 a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction--
6 to understand a proverb and a clever saying, the words of wise people and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 My son, listen to your father's discipline, and do not neglect your mother's teachings,
9 because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head and a [golden] chain around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along.
11 If they say, "Come with us. Let's set an ambush to kill someone. Let's hide to ambush innocent people for fun.
12 We'll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit.
13 We'll find all kinds of valuable possessions. We'll fill our homes with stolen goods.
14 Join us. We'll split the loot equally."
15 My son, do not follow them in their way. Do not even set foot on their path,
16 because they rush to do evil and hurry to shed blood.
17 It does no good to spread a net within the sight of any bird.
18 But these people set an ambush for their own murder. They go into hiding only to lose their lives.
19 This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life.
20 Wisdom sings her song in the streets. In the public squares she raises her voice.
21 At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. At the entrances to the city she speaks her words,
22 "How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?
23 "Turn to me when I warn you. I will generously pour out my spirit for you. I will make my words known to you.
24 "I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.
25 You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you.
26 I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you,
27 when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you.
28 "They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me,
29 because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30 They refused my advice. They despised my every warning.
31 They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes.
32 "Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference.
33 But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster."
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you take my words [to heart] and treasure my commands within you,
2 if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding,
3 if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,
4 if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God.
6 The LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He has reserved priceless wisdom for decent people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity
8 in order to guard those on paths of justice and to watch over the way of his godly ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good course [in life].
10 Wisdom will come into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Foresight will protect you. Understanding will guard you.
12 [Wisdom will] save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things,
13 from those who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk the ways of darkness,
14 from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who find joy in the deviousness of evil.
15 Their paths are crooked. Their ways are devious.
16 [Wisdom will] also save you from an adulterous woman, from a loose woman with her smooth talk,
17 who leaves [her husband,] the closest friend of her youth, and forgets her marriage vows to her God.
18 Her house sinks down to death. Her ways lead to the souls of the dead.
19 None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life.
20 So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people.
21 Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it.
22 But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

1 Corinthians 16

1 Now, concerning the money to be collected for God's people [in Jerusalem]: I want you to do as I directed the churches in Galatia.
2 Every Sunday each of you should set aside some of your money and save it. Then money won't have to be collected when I come.
3 When I come, I will give letters of introduction to the people whom you choose. You can send your gift to Jerusalem with them.
4 If I think it's worthwhile for me to go, they can go with me.
5 After I go through the province of Macedonia, I'll visit you. (I will be going through Macedonia.)
6 I'll probably stay with you. I might even spend the winter. Then you can give me your support as I travel, wherever I decide to go.
7 Right now all I could do is visit you briefly, but if the Lord lets me, I hope to spend some time with you.
8 I will be staying here in Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me.
10 If Timothy comes, make sure that he doesn't have anything to be afraid of while he is with you. He's doing the Lord's work as I am,
11 so no one should treat him with contempt. Without quarreling, give him your support for his trip so that he may come to me. I'm expecting him to arrive with the other Christians.
12 Concerning Apollos, our brother in the Christian faith: I tried hard to get him to visit you with the other Christians. He didn't want to at this time. However, he will visit you when he has an opportunity.
13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.
14 Do everything with love.
15 You know that the family of Stephanas was the first family to be won [for Christ] in Greece. This family has devoted itself to serving God's people. So I encourage you, brothers and sisters,
16 to follow the example of people like these and anyone else who shares their labor and hard work.
17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here. They have made up for your absence.
18 They have comforted me, and they have comforted you. Therefore, show people like these your appreciation.
19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca and the church that meets in their house send their warmest Christian greetings.
20 All the brothers and sisters [here] greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone doesn't love the Lord, let him be cursed! Our Lord, come!
23 May the good will of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 Through Christ Jesus my love is with all of you.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.