1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings;
3 for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;
4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man,
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.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Avoid the Path of the Violent
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,
9 for they will be a garland of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t be persuaded.
11 If they say — “Come with us! Let’s set an ambush and kill someone. Let’s attack some innocent person just for fun!
12 Let’s swallow them alive, like Sheol, still healthy as they go down to the Pit.
13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder.
14 Throw in your lot with us, and we’ll all share our money”,
15 my son, don’t travel that road with them or set foot on their path,
16 because their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder.
17 It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it,
18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives.
19 Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it.
Wisdom’s Plea
20 Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares.
21 She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
22 “How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?
23 If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.
24 Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention,
25 since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction,
26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.
28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the LORD,
30 were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction,
31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes.
32 For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Proverbs 1:1–33.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: But the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: But a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: But a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Proverbs 10:6–11.
28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Matthew 11:28–30.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Romans 10:13.
12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Philippians 2:12.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Hebrews 4:9.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), James 2:14–26.