Proverbs 22 NLT

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 

2 The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. 

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 

4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. 

5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. 

6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 

7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 

8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. 

9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. 

10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. 

11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. 

12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” 

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. 

15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. 

16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. 

17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 

18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 

19 I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD .

20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 

21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. 

22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. 

23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. 

24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 

25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. 

26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. 

27 If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. 

29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Colossians 3 and 4 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-14)
  • Greetings (1:1-2)
  • Thanksgiving (1:3-8)
  • Prayer (1:9-14)
• The Supremacy of Christ (1:15-23)
• Paul's Labor for the Church (1:24;2:7)
  • His Ministry for the Sake of the Church (1:24-29)
  • His Concern for the Spiritual Welfare of His Readers (2:1-7)
• Freedom from Human Regulations through Life with Christ (2:8-23)
  • Warning to Guard against the False Teachers (2:8-15)
  • Pleas to Reject the False Teachers (2:16-19)
  • An Analysis of the Heresy (2:20-23)
• Rules for Holy Living (3:1;4:6)
  • The Old Self and the New Self (3:1-17)
  • Rules for Christian Households (3:18;4:1)
  • Further Instructions (4:2-6)
• Final Greetings and Benediction (4:7-18)

Colossians 3 NLT

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 

3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 

4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 

6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 

7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 

8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 

10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 

11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 

19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 

20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 

21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. 

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 

24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 

25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

Colossians 4 NLT

1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. 

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 

3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 

4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. 

7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 

8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 

9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here. 

10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 

11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! 

12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 

13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 

14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 

15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 

16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. 

17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” 

18 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL . Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.