1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does, and along with dishonor, disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty by perverting the justice due the innocent.
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
8 A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.
9 The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
16 A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.
24 A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:1-24
15 If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.
17 If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.
Matthew 18:15-17
25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law,
28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:
29 Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised.
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.
33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed
35 and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:25-35
1 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom.
2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit,
5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5