Through the Bible – Day 249

Bible text(s)

Proverbs 17

Our thoughts are tested by the LORD

₁A dry crust of bread eaten

in peace and quiet

is better than a feast eaten

where everyone argues.

₂A hard-working slave

will be placed in charge

of a no-good child,

and that slave will be given

the same inheritance

that each child receives.

₃Silver and gold are tested

by flames of fire;

our thoughts are tested

by the LORD.

₄Troublemakers listen

to troublemakers,

and liars listen to liars.

₅By insulting the poor,

you insult your Creator.

You will be punished

if you make fun

of someone in trouble.

₆Grandparents are proud

of their grandchildren,

and children should be proud

of their parents.

₇It sounds strange for a fool

to talk sensibly,

but it's even worse

for a ruler to tell lies.

₈A bribe works miracles

like a magic charm

that brings good luck.

₉You will keep your friends

if you forgive them,

but you will lose your friends

if you keep talking about

what they did wrong.

₁₀A sensible person

accepts correction,

but you can't beat sense

into a fool.

₁₁Cruel people want to rebel,

and so vicious attackers

will be sent against them.

₁₂A bear robbed of her cubs

is far less dangerous

than a stubborn fool.

₁₃You will always have trouble

if you are mean to those

who are good to you.

₁₄The start of an argument

is like a water leak—

so stop it before

real trouble breaks out.

₁₅The LORD doesn't like those

who defend the guilty

or condemn the innocent.

₁₆Why should fools have money

for an education

when they refuse to learn?

₁₇A friend is always a friend,

and relatives are born

to share our troubles.

₁₈It's stupid to guarantee

someone else's loan.

₁₉The wicked and the proud

love trouble and keep begging

to be hurt.

₂₀Dishonesty does you no good,

and telling lies

will get you in trouble.

₂₁It's never pleasant

to be the parent of a fool

and have nothing but pain.

₂₂If you are cheerful,

you feel good;

if you are sad,

you hurt all over.

₂₃Crooks accept secret bribes

to keep justice

from being done.

₂₄Anyone with wisdom knows

what makes good sense,

but fools can never

make up their minds.

₂₅Foolish children bring sorrow

to their father

and pain to their mother.

₂₆It isn't fair

to punish the innocent

and those who do right.

₂₇It makes a lot of sense

to be a person of few words

and to stay calm.

₂₈Even fools seem clever

when they are quiet.

Proverbs 17:1-28CEVOpen in Bible reader

1 Corinthians 16

An offering for the poor

A collection for God's people

₁When you collect money for God's people, I want you to do exactly what I told the churches in Galatia to do. ₂That is, each Sunday each of you must put aside part of what you have earned. If you do this, you won't have to take up a collection when I come. ₃Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them. ₄If you think I should go along, they can go with me.

Paul's travel plans

₅After I have gone through Macedonia, I hope to see you ₆and stay with you for a while. I may even stay all winter, so that you can help me on my way to wherever I will be going next. ₇If the Lord lets me, I would rather come later for a longer visit than to stop off now for only a short visit. ₈I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, ₉because there is a wonderful opportunity for me to do some work here. But there are also many people who are against me.

₁₀When Timothy arrives, give him a friendly welcome. He is doing the Lord's work, just as I am. ₁₁Don't let anyone ill-treat him. I am looking for him to return to me together with the other followers. So when he leaves, send him off with your blessings.

₁₂I have tried hard to get our friend Apollos to visit you with the other followers. He doesn't want to come just now, but he will come when he can.

Personal concerns and greetings

₁₃Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. ₁₄Show love in everything you do.

₁₅You know that Stephanas and his family were the first in Achaia to have faith in the Lord. They have done all they can for God's people. My friends, I ask you ₁₆to obey leaders like them and to do the same for all others who work hard with you.

₁₇I was glad to see Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus. Having them here was like having you. ₁₈They made me feel much better, just as they made you feel better. You should appreciate people like them.

₁₉Greetings from the churches in Asia.

Aquila and Priscilla, together with the church that meets in their house, send greetings in the name of the Lord.

₂₀All the Lord's followers send their greetings.

Give each other a warm greeting.

₂₁I am signing this letter myself: PAUL.

₂₂I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn't love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon.

₂₃I pray that the Lord Jesus will be kind to you.

₂₄I love everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:1-24CEVOpen in Bible reader