Through the Bible – Day 248

Bible text(s)

Proverbs 16

The LORD has the final word

₁We humans make plans,

but the LORD

has the final word.

₂We may think we know

what is right,

but the LORD is the judge

of our motives.

₃Share your plans with the LORD,

and you will succeed.

₄The LORD has a reason

for everything he does,

and he lets evil people live

only to be punished.

₅The LORD doesn't like

anyone who is conceited—

you can be sure

they will be punished.

₆If we truly love God,

our sins will be forgiven;

if we show him respect,

we will keep away from sin.

₇When we please the LORD,

even our enemies

make friends with us.

₈It's better to be honest

and poor

than to be dishonest

and rich.

₉We make our own plans,

but the LORD decides

where we will go.

₁₀Rulers speak with authority

and are never wrong.

₁₁The LORD doesn't like it

when we cheat in business.

₁₂Justice makes rulers powerful.

They should hate evil

₁₃and like honesty and truth.

₁₄An angry ruler

can put you to death.

So be wise!

Don't make one angry.

₁₅When a ruler is happy

and pleased with you,

it's like refreshing rain,

and you will live.

₁₆It's much better to be wise

and sensible

than to be rich.

₁₇God's people avoid evil ways,

and they protect themselves

by watching where they go.

₁₈Too much pride

will destroy you.

₁₉You are better off

being humble and poor

than getting rich

from what you take by force.

₂₀If you know what you're doing,

you will prosper.

God blesses everyone

who trusts him.

₂₁Good judgment proves

that you are wise,

and if you speak kindly,

you can teach others.

₂₂Good sense is a fountain

that gives life,

but fools are punished

by their foolishness.

₂₃You can persuade others

if you are wise

and speak sensibly.

₂₄Kind words are like honey—

they cheer you up

and make you feel strong.

₂₅Sometimes what seems right

is really a road to death.

₂₆The hungrier you are,

the harder you work.

₂₇Worthless people plan trouble.

Even their words burn

like a flaming fire.

₂₈Gossip is no good!

It causes hard feelings

and comes between friends.

₂₉Don't trust violent people.

They will mislead you

to do the wrong thing.

₃₀When someone winks

or grins behind your back,

trouble is on the way.

₃₁Grey hair is a glorious crown

worn by those

who have lived right.

₃₂Controlling your temper

is better than being a hero

who captures a city.

₃₃We make our own decisions,

but the LORD alone

determines what happens.

Proverbs 16:1-33CEVOpen in Bible reader

1 Corinthians 15

What our bodies will be like

₃₅Some of you have asked, “How will the dead be raised to life? What kind of bodies will they have?” ₃₆Don't be foolish. A seed must die before it can sprout from the ground. ₃₇Wheat seeds and all other seeds look different from the sprouts that come up. ₃₈This is because God gives everything the kind of body he wants it to have. ₃₉People, animals, birds, and fish are each made of flesh, but none of them are alike. ₄₀Everything in the heavens has a body, and so does everything on earth. But each one is very different from all the others. ₄₁The sun isn't like the moon, the moon isn't like the stars, and each star is different.

₄₂That's how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will live for ever. ₄₃These ugly and weak bodies will become beautiful and strong. ₄₄As there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies.

₄₅The first man was named Adam, and the Scriptures tell us that he was a living person. But Jesus, who may be called the last Adam, is a life-giving spirit. ₄₆We see that the one with a spiritual body did not come first. He came after the one who had a physical body. ₄₇The first man was made from the dust of the earth, but the second man came from heaven. ₄₈Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven. ₄₉Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven.

₅₀My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God's kingdom, which lasts for ever. ₅₁I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed. ₅₂It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again. ₅₃Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won't die or decay. ₅₄The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,

“Death has lost the battle!

₅₅Where is its victory?

Where is its sting?”

₅₆Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. ₅₇But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!

₅₈My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.

1 Corinthians 15:35-58CEVOpen in Bible reader