Weekly Bible Readings
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
knowledge and prudence to the young—
5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
and the discerning acquire skill,
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
and do not reject your mother’s teaching,
9 for they are a fair garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
10 My child, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
Questions/Reflections to Consider
1. What is one question you have after having read this passage?
What is one thought or observation that interests you after having read this passage?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to you personally after having read it?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to our church and leaders after having read it?
For a moment, talk to God, pray, perhaps use the passage and thoughts as a basis for your conversation
Stop being hateful! Quit trying to fool people, and start being sincere. Don't be jealous or say cruel things about others. 2 Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.
4 Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored. 5 And now you are living stones being used to build a spiritual house. You are also a group of holy priests, and with the help of Jesus Christ you will offer sacrifices that please God. 6 It is just as God says in the Scriptures,
“Look! I am placing in Zion
a choice and precious
cornerstone.
No one who has faith
in this one
will be disappointed.”
7 You are followers of the Lord, and this stone is precious to you. But it isn't precious to those who refuse to follow him. They are the builders who tossed aside the stone that turned out to be the most important one of all. 8 They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over this stone, because they were doomed.
9 But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. The Scriptures say,
10 “Once you were nobody.
Now you are God's people.
At one time no one
had mercy on you.
Now God has treated you
with kindness.”
11 Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you. 12 Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
Questions/Reflections to Consider
1. What is one question you have after having read this passage?
What is one thought or observation that interests you after having read this passage?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to you personally after having read it?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to our church and leaders after having read it?
For a moment, talk to God, pray, perhaps use the passage and thoughts as a basis for your conversation
1 These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David.
2 Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control
and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.
3 You will learn what is right and honest and fair.
4 From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart,
and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
5 If you are already wise, you will become even wiser.
And if you are smart, you will learn to understand
6 proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom,
and all kinds of riddles.
7 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge.
Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
8 My child, obey the teachings of your parents,
9 and wear their teachings as you would a pretty hat or a lovely necklace.
10 Don't be tempted by sinners or listen
Questions/Reflections to Consider
1. What is one question you have after having read this passage?
What is one thought or observation that interests you after having read this passage?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to you personally after having read it?
What do you sense this passage might be saying to our church and leaders after having read it?
For a moment, talk to God, pray, perhaps use the passage and thoughts as a basis for your conversation