Day 586 of 730

¹Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

²to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

³For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

⁴But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,

⁵not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of rebirth and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

⁶whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;

⁷that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁸This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

⁹but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

¹⁰Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;

¹¹knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

¹²When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.

¹³Send Zenas, the Law scholar, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.

¹⁴Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

¹⁵All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

¹Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

²Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

³Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

⁴To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

⁵To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

⁶To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

⁷To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

⁸The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

⁹The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

¹⁰To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

¹¹And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

¹²With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

¹³To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

¹⁴And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;

¹⁵But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:

¹⁶To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

¹⁷To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

¹⁸And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

¹⁹Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

²⁰Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

²¹And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

²²Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

²³Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

²⁴And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

²⁵Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

²⁶Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.

¹The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

²In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

³A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

⁴Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked; but those who keep the Law contend with them.

⁵Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

⁶Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

⁷Whoever keeps the Law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

⁸He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

⁹He who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.

¹⁰Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹³He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

¹⁴Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

¹⁵As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

¹⁶A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

¹⁷A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

¹⁸Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

¹⁹One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

²⁰A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

²¹To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

²²A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.

²³One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

²⁴Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.

²⁵One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

²⁶One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

²⁷One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.