Saturday, April 9, 2016
Proverbs 14
Proverbs 14 (New International Version)
Proverbs 14
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find [a] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [b]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
Proverbs 14
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find [a] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [b]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
Revelation 5
Revelation 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth."
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Revelation 5
The Scroll and the Lamb
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign[b] on the earth."
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Friday, April 8, 2016
ACTS 24 Trial before Felix
ACT 24 NLT
1 Five days later Ananias, the high
priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to
present their case against Paul to the governor.
2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus
presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:
“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have
enacted reforms for us.
3For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very
grateful to you.
4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please
give me your attention for only a moment.
5 We have found this man to be a
troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the
world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.
6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate
the Temple when we arrested him.
7
8 You can find out the truth of our
accusations by examining him yourself.”
9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring
that everything Tertullus said was true.
10 The governor then motioned for Paul to
speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs
for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
11 You can quickly discover that I arrived
in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
12 My accusers never found me arguing with
anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets
of the city.
13These men cannot prove the things they accuse
me of doing.
14 “But I admit that I follow the Way,
which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly
believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
15 I have the same hope in God that these
men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16 Because of this, I always try to
maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
17 “After several years away, I returned to
Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I
was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no
rioting.
19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were
there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against
me!
20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish
high council found me guilty of,
21 except for the one time I shouted out,
‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the
dead!’”
22 At that point Felix, who was quite
familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the
garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”
23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in
custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and
take care of his needs.
24 A few days later Felix came back with
his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told
them about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As he reasoned with them about
righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became
frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll
call for you again.”
26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him,
so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
27 After two years went by in this way,
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor
with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
Proverbs 13
Proverbs 13 (New International Version)
Proverbs 13
1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. [a]
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Proverbs 13
1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. [a]
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Revelation 4
Revelation 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,'[b] who was, and is, and is to come."
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,'[b] who was, and is, and is to come."
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Revelation 3
Revelation 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Proverbs 12
Proverbs 12 (New International Version)
Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, [a] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast [b] his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, [a] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast [b] his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
ACTS Chapter 21:17;23:35 Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem
ACTS 21:17 When we arrived, the brothers and
sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.
18 The next day Paul went with us to meet
with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present.
19 After greeting them, Paul gave a
detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through
his ministry.
20 After hearing this, they praised God.
And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have
also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously.
21 But the Jewish believers here in
Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the
Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach
them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs.
22 What should we do? They will certainly
hear that you have come.
23 “Here’s what we want you to do. We have
four men here who have completed their vow.
24 Go with them to the Temple and join them
in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually
shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you
yourself observe the Jewish laws.
25 “As for the Gentile believers, they
should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from
eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled
animals, and from sexual immorality.”
26 So Paul went to the Temple the next day
with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he
publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be
offered for each of them.
27 The seven days were almost ended when
some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob
against him. They grabbed him,
28 yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This
is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to
disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this
holy place by bringing in Gentiles. ”
29 (For earlier that day they had seen him
in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had
taken him into the Temple.)
30 The whole city was rocked by these
accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the
Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him.
31 As they were trying to kill him, word reached
the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately called out his soldiers
and officers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and
the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commander arrested him and
ordered him bound with two chains. He asked the crowd who he was and what he
had done.
34 Some shouted one thing and some another.
Since he couldn’t find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he
ordered that Paul be taken to the fortress.
35 As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew
so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect
him.
36 And the crowd followed behind, shouting,
“Kill him, kill him!”
37 As Paul was about to be taken inside, he
said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the
commander asked, surprised.
38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a
rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the
desert?”
39 “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a
citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk
to these people.”
40 The commander agreed, so Paul stood on
the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence
enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.
ACTS 22 NLT
1 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul
said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”
2 When they heard him speaking in their
own language, the silence was even greater.
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in
Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem
under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and
customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all
of you today.
4 And I persecuted the followers of the
Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in
prison.
5 The high priest and the whole council of
elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our
Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way
from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6 “As I was on the road, approaching
Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around
me.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice
saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8“‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice
replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’
9 The people with me saw the light but
didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And
the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told
everything you are to do.’
11 “I was blinded by the intense light and
had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.
12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was
a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of
Damascus.
13 He came and stood beside me and said,
‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!
14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our
ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear
him speak.
15For you are to be his witness, telling
everyone what you have seen and heard.
16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be
baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’
17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was
praying in the Temple and fell into a trance.
18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me,
‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about
me.’
19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly
know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in
you.
20 And I was in complete agreement when
your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off
when they stoned him.’
21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I
will send you far away to the Gentiles!’ ”
22 The crowd listened until Paul said that
word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to
live!”
23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and
tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
24 The commander brought Paul inside and
ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find
out why the crowd had become so furious.
25 When they tied Paul down to lash him,
Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman
citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”
26 When the officer heard this, he went to
the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman
citizen!”
27 So the commander went over and asked
Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul
replied.
28 “I am, too,” the commander muttered,
“and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”
29 The soldiers who were about to
interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and
the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and
whipped.
30 The next day the commander ordered the
leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find
out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand
before them.
ACTS 23 NLT
1 Gazing intently at the high council,
Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
2 Instantly Ananias the high priest
commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.
3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap
you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law
yourself by ordering me struck like that?”
4 Those standing near Paul said to him,
“Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”
5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize
he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not
speak evil of any of your rulers.’ ”
6 Paul realized that some members of the
high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers,
I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in
the resurrection of the dead!”
7 This divided the council—the Pharisees
against the Sadducees—
8for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.
9 So there was a great uproar. Some of the
teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue
forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or
an angel spoke to him.”
10 As the conflict grew more violent, the
commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to
go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.
11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and
said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in
Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
12 The next morning a group of Jews got
together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had
killed Paul.
13There were more than forty of them in the
conspiracy.
14 They went to the leading priests and
elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing
until we have killed Paul.
15 So you and the high council should ask
the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to
examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.”
16 But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard
of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.
17 Paul called for one of the Roman
officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something
important to tell him.”
18 So the officer did, explaining, “Paul,
the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you
because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took his hand, led him
aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are
going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending
they want to get some more information.
21 But don’t do it! There are more than
forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat
or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting
for your consent.”
22 “Don’t let anyone know you told me
this,” the commander warned the young man.
23 Then the commander called two of his
officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at
nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted
troops.
24 Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get
him safely to Governor Felix.”
25 Then he wrote this letter to the
governor:
26 “From Claudius Lysias, to his
Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!
27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and
they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that
he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety.
28 Then I took him to their high council to
try to learn the basis of the accusations against him.
29 I soon discovered the charge was
something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of
imprisonment or death.
30 But when I was informed of a plot to
kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring
their charges before you.”
31 So that night, as ordered, the soldiers
took Paul as far as Antipatris.
32 They returned to the fortress the next
morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea.
33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they
presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix.
34He read it and then asked Paul what province
he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
35 “I will hear your case myself when your
accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in
the prison at Herod’s headquarters.
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