8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
10 Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the LORD will have faithful love surrounding him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Psalm 32:8–11.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, o Lord my salvation.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Psalm 38:11–22.
5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance
6 for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Proverbs 1:5–6.
1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;
2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.
3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;
10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Do not despise the LORD’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.
19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21 Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them.
22 They will be life for you and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.
Treat Others Fairly
27 When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to.
28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow” — when it is there with you.
29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you.
30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32 for the devious are detestable to the LORD, but He is a friend to the upright.
33 The LORD’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous;
34 He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Proverbs 3:1–35.
22 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Lamentations 3:22.
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ephesians 1:6.
2 because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), 2 John 1:2.