3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of Yahweh be praised.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Psalm 113:3.
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: The LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: But in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: But the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Psalm 118:5–14.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your relative.
5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a stranger with her flattering talk.
A Story of Seduction
6 At the window of my house I looked through my lattice.
7 I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night.
10 A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda.
11 She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home.
12 Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
13 She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings; today I’ve fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my bed — richly colored linen from Egypt.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home; he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk.
22 He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap
23 until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare — he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
24 Now, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths.
26 For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless.
27 Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Proverbs 7:4–27.
1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: But a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: But the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: But he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: But the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: But a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: But a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: But to the righteous good shall be repayed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: But the belly of the wicked shall want.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Proverbs 13:1-25.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; Thy walls are continually before me.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Isaiah 49:15–16.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Mark 16:16.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
15 and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), 2 Timothy 3:14–17.
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and pfear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 1 Peter 3:15–16.
11 The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), 1 Peter 5:11.