Proverbs Chapter 1 NLT

Outline

• Prologue: Purpose and Theme (1:1-7)
• The Superiority of the Way of Wisdom (1:8;9:18)
• Appeals and Warnings Confronting Youth (1:8-33)

1.    Enticements to secure happiness by violence (1:8-19)

2.    Warnings against rejecting wisdom (1:20-33)

• Commendation of Wisdom (chs. 2-4)

1.    Benefits of accepting wisdom's instructions (ch. 2)

2.    Wisdom bestows well-being (3:1-20)

3.    Wisdom's instructions and benefits (3:21-35)

4.    Challenge to hold on to wisdom (ch. 4)

• Warnings against Folly (chs. 5-7)

1.    Warning against adultery (ch. 5)

2.    Warning against perverse ways (6:1-19)

3.    Cost of committing adultery (6:20-35)

4.    Warning against the enticements of an adulteress (ch. 7)

• Appeals Addressed to Youth (chs. 8-9)

1.    Wisdom's appeal (ch. 8)

2.    Invitations of wisdom and folly (ch. 9)

• The Main Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (10:1;22:16)
• The Thirty Sayings of the Wise (22:17;24:22)
• Additional Sayings of the Wise (24:23-34)
• Hezekiah's Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (chs. 25-29)
• The Sayings of Agur (ch. 30)
• The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1-9)
• Epilogue: The Ideal Wife (31:10-31)

The Wise Man According to Proverbs: An Outline

• His Character
• He Is Teachable, Not Intractable

1.    He receives and loves instruction (18:15;19:20)

2.    He grows in wisdom (1:5;9:9;10:14)

• He Is Righteous, Not Wicked

1.    He fears the Lord (1:7; 14:16; see below under relationship to the Lord)

2.    He hates what is false (13:5)

3.    He shuns evil (3:7;14:16;16:6)

4.    He does what is righteous (2:20)

5.    He speaks the truth (22:21)

• He Is Humble, Not Proud (15:33)
• He Is Self-controlled, Not Rash

1.    His temperament

1.    He is self-controlled (29:11)

2.    He has a calm spirit (17:27)

3.    He is slow to become angry (29:8,11)

2.    2. His actions

1.    He is cautious, not hasty (19:2)

2.    He thinks before he acts (13:16; 14:8)

3.    He thinks before he speaks (12:23; 15:2)

• He Is Forgiving, Not Vindictive

1.    He is patient (19:11)

2.    He is concerned about goodwill/peace (14:9)

3.    He forgives those who wrong him (10:12;17:9)

4.    He is not vindictive (20:22;24:29)

• His Relationships
• To the Lord

1.    He fears the Lord (9:10;14:16;15:33)

2.    He trusts in the Lord (3:5;16:3,20)

3.    He is ever mindful of the Lord (3:6)

4.    He chooses the Lord's way/wisdom (8:10-11;17:24)

5.    He submits to the Lord's discipline (1:2-3;3:11)

6.    He confesses his sin (28:13)

• To His Family

1.    To his parents

1.    Respects them (17:6; contrast 30:17)

2.    Listens to them (23:22; cf. 1:8; 4:1)

3.    Seeks to bring them honor and joy

1.    By being wise (10:1;15:20;29:3)

2.    By being righteous (23:24)

3.    By being diligent (10:5)

2.    To his wife

1.    He appreciates her

1.    As a gift from the Lord (18:22;19:14)

2.    As his crowning glory (12:4;31:10-31)

2.    He praises her (31:28)

3.    He trusts her (31:11)

4.    He is faithful to her (5:15-20)

3.    To his children

1.    He loves them (3:12;13:24)

2.    He is concerned about them (1:8-9:18)

3.    He trains them (22:6)

1.    Reasons for training them

1.    Own peace of mind and joy (29:17)

2.    Child's honor and well-being (1:8-9;4:9;19:18;23:13-14)

2.    By teaching/instructing them (1:10; chs. 5-7; 28:7; cf. 4:1-9)

3.    By disciplining them

1.    By verbal correction (13:1)

2.    By physical discipline (13:24;23:13-14)

4.    He provides for their

1.    Physical needs (21:20;27:23-27)

2.    Spiritual heritage (14:26;20:7)

• To His Friends and Neighbors

1.    To his friends

1.    He values them (27:10)

2.    He is constant to them (17:17; 18:24)

3.    He gives them counsel (27:9,17; cf. 27:6; 28:23)

2.    To his neighbors

1.    He fulfills his obligations (3:27-28)

2.    He strives for peace (3:29-30)

3.    He does not outstay his welcome (25:17)

4.    He does not deceive or mislead them (16:29;26:18-19)

• His Words
• The Power of His Words

1.    Their power

1.    The power of life and death (12:6;13:14;15:4;18:21)

2.    The power to heal or to wound (11:9,11;12:18;15:4,30;16:24)

2.    Their limitation

1.    No substitute for deeds (14:23)

2.    Cannot alter the facts (26:23-26)

3.    Cannot compel response (29:19)

• The Character of His Words

1.    They are honest, not false (12:22;16:13)

2.    They are few, not many (10:19)

1.    Not boastful (27:2)

2.    Not argumentative (17:14)

3.    Not contentious (29:9)

4.    Not a gossip

1.    Revealing secrets (11:13;20:19)

2.    Spreading slander (10:18;26:20-22)

3.    They are calm, not emotional

1.    Rational (15:28;17:27)

2.    Gentle and peaceable (15:1,18)

3.    Yet persuasive (25:15)

4.    They are apt, not untimely (15:23;25:11)

• The Source of His Words

1.    His heart/character (compare 4:23 with Mt 12:33-35)

1.    Positively, he is righteous (10:11;13:14)

2.    Negatively, he is not

1.    Proud (13:10;6:16-19)

2.    Hateful (26:24,28)

2.    His companions (13:20;27:17)

3.    Reflections (15:28)

Proverbs Chapter 1 NLT

The Purpose of Proverbs

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,

    to help them understand the insights of the wise.

3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

    knowledge and discernment to the young.

5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

    Let those with understanding receive guidance

6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

    the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,

    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.

    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace

    and be a chain of honor around your neck.

10 My child, if sinners entice you,

    turn your back on them!

11 They may say, “Come and join us.

    Let’s hide and kill someone!

    Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave[b];

    let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

13 Think of the great things we’ll get!

    We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

14 Come, throw in your lot with us;

    we’ll all share the loot.”

15 My child, don’t go along with them!

    Stay far away from their paths.

16 They rush to commit evil deeds.

    They hurry to commit murder.

17 If a bird sees a trap being set,

    it knows to stay away.

18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;

    they are trying to get themselves killed.

19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;

    it robs them of life.

Wisdom Shouts in the Streets

20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.

    She cries out in the public square.

21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,

    to those gathered in front of the city gate:

22 “How long, you simpletons,

    will you insist on being simpleminded?

How long will you mockers relish your mocking?

    How long will you fools hate knowledge?

23 Come and listen to my counsel.

I’ll share my heart with you

    and make you wise.

24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.

    I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

25 You ignored my advice

    and rejected the correction I offered.

26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble!

    I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

    when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone,

    and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.

    Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

29 For they hated knowledge

    and chose not to fear the LORD.

30 They rejected my advice

    and paid no attention when I corrected them.

31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,

    choking on their own schemes.

32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death.

    Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

33 But all who listen to me will live in peace,

    untroubled by fear of harm.”

1 Timothy 4 - 6 NLT

Outline

I.                  Greetings (1:1-2)

II.         Warning against False Teachers (1:3-11)

A.    The Nature of the Heresy (1:3-7)

B.    The Purpose of the Law (1:8-11)

                III.         The Lord's Grace to Paul (1:12-17)

IV.         The Purpose of Paul's Instructions to Timothy (1:18-20)

V.         Instructions concerning Church Administration (chs. 2-3)

 .      Public Worship (ch. 2)

1.     Prayer in public worship (2:1-8)

2.     Women in public worship (2:9-15)

A.    Qualifications for Church Officers (3:1-13)

0.     Overseers (3:1-7)

1.     Deacons (3:8-13)

B.    Purpose of These Instructions (3:14-16)

               VI.         Instructions concerning False Teaching (ch. 4)

 .      False Teaching Described (4:1-5)

A.    Methods of Dealing with It Explained (4:6-16)

VII.         Instructions concerning Different Groups in the Church (5:1;6:2)

 .      The Older and Younger (5:1-2)

A.    Widows (5:3-16)

B.    Elders (5:17-25)

C.    Slaves (6:1-2)

VIII.         Miscellaneous Matters (6:3-19)

 .      False Teachers (6:3-5)

A.    Love of Money (6:6-10)

B.    Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)

C.    The Rich (6:17-19)

IX.         Concluding Appeal and Benediction (6:20-21)

1 Timothy 4 NLT

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 

2These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 

3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.

4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 

5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer. 

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 

8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 

9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 

10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 

11Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 

12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 

15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 

16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Timothy 5 NLT

1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 

2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. 

3 Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. 

4 But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. 

5 Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. 

6 But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. 

7 Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism. 

8 But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 

9 A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. 

10 She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good? 

11 The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. 

12 Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. 

13 And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. 

14 So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. 

15 For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan. 

16 If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone. 

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 

18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” 

19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. 

20Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others. 

21 I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone. 

22Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 

23 Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often. 

24Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. 

25 In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

1 Timothy 6 NLT

1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 

2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. False Teaching and True Riches Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 

3Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 

4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 

5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 

7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 

8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 

9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 

10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 

12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 

13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 

14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 

15 For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 

16He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 

18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 

19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 

20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 

21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all.