Saturday, March 31, 2012

Psalm 49

“1  Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world: 2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding. 4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?”

“6  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7 None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8 (For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9 That he should still live for ever, [and] not see corruption. 10 For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names. 12 Nevertheless man [being] in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish. 13 This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.”

“15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. 16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. 18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20 Man [that is] in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.”

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Psalm 47

“1  O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 For the LORD most high [is] terrible; [he is] a great King over all the earth. 3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. 4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.”

“5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. 8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 9 The princes of the people are gathered together, [even] the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth [belong] unto God: he is greatly exalted.”

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Psalm 46

1  God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God [is] in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, [and that] right early.”“

6  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Psalm 45

“1  My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue [is] the pen of a ready writer. 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. 3 Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 5 Thine arrows [are] sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; [whereby] the people fall under thee.”

6 Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 8 All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 9 Kings’ daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.”

“10  Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him. 12 And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. 13 The king’s daughter [is] all glorious within: her clothing [is] of wrought gold. 14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. 15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.”

Monday, March 26, 2012

Psalm 44

“1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. 2 [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.”

“9  But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. 10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. 11 Thou hast given us like sheep [appointed] for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. 12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase [thy wealth] by their price. 13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. 14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. 15 My confusion [is] continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, 16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.”

“17  All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. 18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, [and] forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.”

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Three things

One
"Always abounding in the work of the Lord"
 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Two
Psalm 92:14

New International Version (©1984)
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,New Living Translation (©2007)
Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
English Standard Version (©2001)
They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green,
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Moreover they will increase in old age; they will be Heavenly and sweet!
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be healthy and flourishing;
American King James Version
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
American Standard Version
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green:
Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated,
Darby Bible Translation
They are still vigorous in old age, they are full of sap and green;
English Revised Version
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and green:
Webster's Bible Translation
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
World English Bible
They will still bring forth fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,
Young's Literal Translation
Still they bring forth in old age, Fat and flourishing are they,

Three
Life is Good. God wants you to have a good life-- an abundant life. He will help you do what will make it good for you.
Turn your wants and desires into goals, your goals into habits
Find your purpose 



Do we have the "right" to feel fulfilled?
one never achieves the feeling of fulfillment by pursuing it

I'm fulfilled in what I do. I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes - the finer things of life - would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.
Coretta Scott King
 

Feeling Fulfilled Friday

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Psalms 41-43

Psalm 40

“1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.”

“6  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.”

“11  Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”
Psalms 38 & 39

Friday, March 23, 2012

Psalm 37
Psalm 35 & 36

Psalm 34

1  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].”

“11  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Psalm 33

“1  Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright. 2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. 4 For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth. 5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

“12  Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. 16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Psalms 31 & 32
Psalms 28-30

Psalm 27

“1 The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident. 4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

“7  Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 [When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 [I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 26

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Psalm 25

“1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.”

These verses remind me of the song Keeper of My Heart sung by Leilani Clark.  It is also on Prairie Home Companion's  April 21, 2001 website at on the 1:20:06 segment at  1:42 on that segment.

“8  Good and upright [is] the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it [is] great. 12 What man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”

“15  Mine eyes [are] ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I [am] desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.”

HE IS ENOUGH

God is enough when the trials of life are many.
He is enough when all earthly help is gone.
When the day is growing darker
And the way is getting rough;
When no one walks beside you, He's enough.

God is enough, when you've lost the one you cherish.
He is enough when your heart would break in two
When your strength alone won't hold you,
Let His loving arms enfold you;
Trust the promises He told you, He's enough.

Chorus:
He's enough, the God who made you will not leave you.
He's enough, though you can't see, His way is just.
All the tears you cry today, by His grace, He'll wipe away
You can trust Him, come what may, He is enough

God is enough when your days are filled with waiting.
He is enough when the things you seek don't come.
Though you ask and seek and pray
With no change from day to day;
In His time, He'll make a way, He's enough.

Bridge:
There's no problem He can't handle,
There's no heartache He can't soothe
All you need to do is trust, so He can prove

He's enough, the God who made you will not leave you.
He's enough, though you can't see, His way is just.
All the tears you cry today, by His grace, He'll wipe away
You can trust Him, come what may, He's enough
C 2008, Val Halloran 
Psalm 24

Monday, March 19, 2012

Psalm 23

“1 ¶The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

William Barclay from Jesus As They Saw Him:
He [the shepherd] had his rod and his staff. The staff was a long crooked stick. Always the shepherd walked with it in his hand, and, when a sheep showed signs of straying, he would stretch out and pull it back with the crook. He carried the rod at his belt. It was a stout piece of wood, perhaps three feet long, with a lump of wood the size of an orange at one end of it. With this the shepherd fought the battles of the flock, using it to drive off wild beasts and to defend the flock against the robbers who would steal the sheep.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Math 22: 37-40.


“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

“7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

“12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

“15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Psalms 20-22

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Psalm 19

“1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”

“7  The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward. 12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults]. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Friday, March 16, 2012

Psalm 18

“1  I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.”

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Psalms 16 & 17

Psalm 15

“1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not. 5 [He that] putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] shall never be moved.”
Psalms 9-14

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Psalm 8

“1  O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”

“3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, [and whatsoever] passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth!”
Psalms 1-7

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Psalm 37

“1  Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

“7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be]. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, [and] to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD [shall be] as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

“21  The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For [such as be] blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and [they that be] cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand. 25 I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 [He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.”

“34  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it]. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”

Monday, March 12, 2012

Proverbs 31

"1  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

“10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Proverbs 30

"1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2 Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. 4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

"5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

“7  Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].”

“10  Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty."

"11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness. 13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.”

“15  The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea], four [things] say not, [It is] enough: 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough. 17 The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father, and despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”

“18  There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid."

"20 Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness."

"21 For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; 23 For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.”

“24  There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise: 25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”

“29  There be three [things] which go well, yea, four are comely in going: 30 A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; 31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up."

"32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth."

"33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.”

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Proverbs 29

"1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

“2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

“3  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.”

“4  The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.”

“5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.”

“6  In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.”

“7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].”

“8  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath.”

“9  [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.”

“10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.”

“11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.”

“12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.”

“13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.”

“14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.”

“15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.”

“16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.”

“17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

“18  Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.”

“19  A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.”

“20  Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.”

“21  He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length.”

“22  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”

“23  A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

“24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.”

“25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

“26  Many seek the ruler’s favour; but [every] man’s judgment [cometh] from the LORD."

"27  An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.”

Friday, March 9, 2012

Proverbs 28

“1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

“2  For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.”

“3  A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.”

“4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.”

“5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].”

“6  Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.”

“7 Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.”

“8  He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.”

“9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.”

“10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.”

“11 The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.”

“12  When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.”

“13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.”

“14  Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”

“15  [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.”

“16  The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.”

“17  A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.”

“18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.”

“19  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.”

“20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”

“21  To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.”

“22  He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”

“23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.”

“24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.”

“25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.”

“26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”

“27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. "

"28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.”

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Proverbs 27

"1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

“2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”


“3  A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath [is] heavier than them both. 4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?”


“5  Open rebuke [is] better than secret love. 6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.”


“7  The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”


“8  As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.”


“9  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.”


“11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.”


“12  A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [but] the simple pass on, [and] are punished.”


“13  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.”


“14  He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.


“15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself].”


“17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”


“18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.”


“19  As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man.


“20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”


“21  [As] the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his praise.


“22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.”


“23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds. 24 For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] the price of the field. 27 And [thou shalt have] goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance for thy maidens.”

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Proverbs 26

"1  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.”

“2  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.”

“3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.”

“4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

“6  He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.”

“10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.”

“11  As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.”

“12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.”

“13  The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.”

“14  [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.”

“15  The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.”

“16  The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”

“17  He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.”

“18  As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”

“20  Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

“23  Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.”

“24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart. 26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.”

“27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 ¶ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Proverbs 25

"1  These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.”

“2  [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter."

"3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.”

“4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.”

“6  Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]: 7 For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”

“8  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.”

“11  A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver."

"12 [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

“13  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.”

“14  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.”

“15  By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.”

“16  Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”

“17  Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.”

“18  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”

“19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

“20  [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.”

“21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”

“23  The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”

“24  [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.”

“25  [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.”

“26  A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”

“27  [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.

"28  He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.”

Monday, March 5, 2012

Proverbs 24

"1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.”

“3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

“7  Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 9 The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men.”

“10  [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.”

“11  If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?”

“13  My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste: 14 So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.”

“15  Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16 For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

“17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.”

“19  Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.”

“21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?”

“23  These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.”

“27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.”

“28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”

“30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction. 33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34 So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Proverbs 23

"1  When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat.”

“4  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

“6  Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee. 8 The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”

“9  Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”

“10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.”

“12  Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. 15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”

“17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”

“19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. 27 For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit. 28 She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.”

“29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Proverbs 22

"1  A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

“2  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.”

“3 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

“4  By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.”

“5  Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.”

“6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

“7  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.”

“8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.”

“9  He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”

“10  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”

“11  He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.”

“12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.”

“13  The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”

“14  The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.”

“15  Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

“16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.”

“17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?”

“22  Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.”

“24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

“26  Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?”

“28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 29 ¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].”

Friday, March 2, 2012

Proverbs 21

"1  The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

“2  Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”

“3  To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

“4  An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.”

“5  The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.”

“6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”

“7  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.”

“8  The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.”

“9  [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”

“10  The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.”

“11  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”

“12  The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.”

“13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

“14  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.”

“15  [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.”

“16  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.”

“17  He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”

“18  The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.”

“19  [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”

“20  [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”

“21  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.”

“22  A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.”

“23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

“24  Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”

“25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.”

“27  The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”

“28  A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.”

“29  A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.”

“30  [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.”