Proverbs 10 NLT

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. 

2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. 

3 The LORD will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. 

4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. 

5 A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. 

6 The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. 

7 We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. 

8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. 

10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. 

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. 

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. 

13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod. 

14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. 

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. 

17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. 

18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. 

19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. 

20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. 

22 The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. 

24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. 

25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. 

26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes. 

27Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 

28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. 

30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land. 

31The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 

32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

Proverbs 9 NLT

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 

2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 

3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 

4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 

5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 

6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.” 

7Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 

9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. 

10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 

11Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 

12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. 

13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. 

14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 

15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.

16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 

17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” 

18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

2 Timothy 4 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)

2 Timothy 4 NLT

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 

9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 

10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 

11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.

12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 

13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers. 

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 

15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. 

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 

17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 

18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. 

19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 

20Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 

21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 

22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

Proverbs 8 NLT

1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! 

2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 

3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, 

4 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. 

5 You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, 

7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. 

8 My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. 

9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. 

10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 

11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. 

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. 

13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. 

14 Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. 

15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. 

16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. 

17 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. 

18 I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. 

19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! 

20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. 

21 Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. 

22 “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 

23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 

24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 

25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born— 

26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 

27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 

28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. 

29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 

30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 

31 And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! 

32 “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. 

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. 

34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 

35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD . 

36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

2 Timothy 3 NLT

Outline

• Introduction (1:1-4)
• Paul's Concern for Timothy (1:5-14)
• Paul's Situation (1:15-18)
• Special Instructions to Timothy (ch. 2)
  • Call for Endurance (2:1-13)
  • Warning about Foolish Controversies (2:14-26)
• Warning about the Last Days (ch. 3)
  • Terrible Times (3:1-9)
  • Means of Combating Them (3:10-17)
• Paul's Departing Remarks (4:1-8)
  • Charge to Preach the Word (4:1-5)
  • Paul's Victorious Prospect (4:6-8)
• Final Requests, Greetings and Benediction (4:9-22)

2 Timothy 3 NLT

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 

2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 

4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 

7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 

8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 

9But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres. 

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 

11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 

13But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Proverbs 7 NLT

1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.

2 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. 

3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 

4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 

5Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. 

6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,

7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 

8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 

9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 

10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 

11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 

12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 

13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,

14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.

15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 

16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 

17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 

18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 

19for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 

20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. ” 

21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 

22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 

23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 

24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 

25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 

26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.

27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.