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The Rewards of Wisdom

¹¹ Wisdom teaches^* her children
   and gives help to those who seek her.
¹² Whoever loves her loves life,
   and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
¹³ Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
   and the Lord blesses the place she^* enters.
¹⁴ Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
   the Lord loves those who love her.
¹⁵ Those who obey her will judge the nations,
   and all who listen to her will live secure.
¹⁶ If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
   their descendants will also obtain her.
¹⁷ For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths;
   she will bring fear and dread upon them,
and will torment them by her discipline
   until she trusts them,^*
and she will test them with her ordinances.
¹⁸ Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them,
   and will reveal her secrets to them.
¹⁹ If they go astray she will forsake them,
   and hand them over to their ruin.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 You must understand this, my beloved:^* let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. ²¹Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ²³For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves^* in a mirror; ²⁴for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Another Exorcist

38 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone^* casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ ³⁹But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

161  Princes have persecuted me without a cause, ♦︎
   but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162  I am as glad of your word ♦︎
   as one who finds great spoils.
163  As for lies, I hate and abhor them, ♦︎
   but your law do I love.
164  Seven times a day do I praise you, ♦︎
   because of your righteous judgements.
165  Great peace have they who love your law; ♦︎
   nothing shall make them stumble.
166  Lord, I have looked for your salvation ♦︎
   and I have fulfilled your commandments.
167  My soul has kept your testimonies ♦︎
   and greatly have I loved them.
168  I have kept your commandments and testimonies, ♦︎
   for all my ways are before you.

Psalm 15

Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?

A Psalm of David.
¹ O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
   Who may dwell on your holy hill?

² Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
   and speak the truth from their heart;
³ who do not slander with their tongue,
   and do no evil to their friends,
   nor take up a reproach against their neighbours;
⁴ in whose eyes the wicked are despised,
   but who honour those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
⁵ who do not lend money at interest,
   and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.