1
You have rejected us, God, and defeated us; you have been angry with us---but now turn back to us.
2
You have made the land tremble, and you have cut it open; now heal its wounds, because it is falling apart.
3
You have made your people suffer greatly; we stagger around as though we were drunk.
4
You have warned those who have reverence for you, so that they might escape destruction.
5
Save us by your might; answer our prayer, so that the people you love may be rescued.
6
From his sanctuary God has said, "In triumph I will divide Shechem and distribute Sukkoth Valley to my people.
7
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh too; Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my royal scepter.
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But I will use Moab as my washbowl, and I will throw my sandals on Edom, as a sign that I own it. Did the Philistines think they would shout in triumph over me?"
9
Who, O God, will take me into the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
10
Have you really rejected us? Aren't you going to march out with our armies?
11
Help us against the enemy; human help is worthless.
12
With God on our side we will win; he will defeat our enemies.
1
The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.
2
When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.
3
Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.
4
If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.
5
Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the LORD understand it well.
6
Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.
7
Young people who obey the law are intelligent. Those who make friends with good-for-nothings are a disgrace to their parents.
8
If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9
If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
10
If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap. The innocent will be well rewarded.
11
Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.
12
When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.
13
You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
14
Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.
15
Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16
A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
17
Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.
18
Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.
19
A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.
20
Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.
21
Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.
22
Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.
23
Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24
Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
25
Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.
26
It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.
27
Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.
28
People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.
1
If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.
2
Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.
3
If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you. It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.
4
When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.
5
If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.
6
Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.
7
A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.
8
People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.
9
When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.
10
Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect the life of such a person.
11
Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.
12
If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.
13
A poor person and his oppressor have this in common---the LORD gave eyes to both of them.
14
If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.
15
Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.
16
When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.
17
Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.
18
A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!
19
You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.
20
There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21
If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.
22
People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.
23
Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.
24
A thief 's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.
25
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.
26
Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the LORD can you get justice.
27
The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.
1
I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae.
2
Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
3
I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in the service of Christ Jesus;
4
they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them---not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well.
5
Greetings also to the church that meets in their house. Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first in the province of Asia to believe in Christ.
6
Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you.
7
Greetings also to Andronicus and Junia, fellow Jews who were in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.
8
My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord.
9
Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend.
10
Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
11
Greetings to Herodion, a fellow Jew, and to the Christians in the family of Narcissus.
12
My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord.
13
I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, who has always treated me like a son.
14
My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christians with them.
15
Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.
16
Greet one another with the kiss of peace. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
17
I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them!
18
For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people.
19
Everyone has heard of your loyalty to the gospel, and for this reason I am happy about you. I want you to be wise about what is good, but innocent in what is evil.
20
And God, our source of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21
Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings; and so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, fellow Jews.
22
I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, send you Christian greetings.
23
My host Gaius, in whose house the church meets, sends you his greetings; Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
25
Let us give glory to God! He is able to make you stand firm in your faith, according to the Good News I preach about Jesus Christ and according to the revelation of the secret truth which was hidden for long ages in the past.
26
Now, however, that truth has been brought out into the open through the writings of the prophets; and by the command of the eternal God it is made known to all nations, so that all may believe and obey.
27
To the only God, who alone is all-wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever! Amen.
