Bible Society of South Africa

Seisoen na Pinkster: Proper 19 (24)

Eerste lesing en Psalm

Wisdom Calls

20Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and market places, 21calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:

22“Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy pouring scorn on knowledge? Will you never learn? 23Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you. 24I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. 25You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you. 26So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will mock you when terror strikes — 27when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery. 28Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. 29You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the LORD. 30You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you. 31So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick. 32Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern. 33But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.”

Proverbs 1:20-33GNBOpen in Bible reader

God's Glory in Creation

1How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!

How plainly it shows what he has done!

2Each day announces it to the following day;

each night repeats it to the next.

3No speech or words are used,

no sound is heard;

4yet their message goes out to all the world

and is heard to the ends of the earth.

God made a home in the sky for the sun;

5it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,

like an athlete eager to run a race.

6It starts at one end of the sky

and goes across to the other.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

The Law of the LORD

7The law of the LORD is perfect;

it gives new strength.

The commands of the LORD are trustworthy,

giving wisdom to those who lack it.

8The laws of the LORD are right,

and those who obey them are happy.

The commands of the LORD are just

and give understanding to the mind.

9Reverence for the LORD is good;

it will continue for ever.

The judgements of the LORD are just;

they are always fair.

10They are more desirable than the finest gold;

they are sweeter than the purest honey.

11They give knowledge to me, your servant;

I am rewarded for obeying them.

12No one can see his own errors;

deliver me, LORD, from hidden faults!

13Keep me safe, also, from wilful sins;

don't let them rule over me.

Then I shall be perfect

and free from the evil of sin.

14May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,

O LORD, my refuge and my redeemer!

Psalms 19-19GNBOpen in Bible reader
Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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