Bible Browser

The Foolishness of Nature Worship

13For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;
and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists,
nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works;
² but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,
or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,
or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world.
³ If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods,
let them know how much better than these is their Lord,
for the author of beauty created them.
⁴ And if people^* were amazed at their power and working,
let them perceive from them
how much more powerful is the one who formed them.
⁵ For from the greatness and beauty of created things
comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.
⁶ Yet these people are little to be blamed,
for perhaps they go astray
while seeking God and desiring to find him.
⁷ For while they live among his works, they keep searching,
and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.
⁸ Yet again, not even they are to be excused;
⁹ for if they had the power to know so much
that they could investigate the world,
how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

¹⁵ Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous;
   do no violence to the place where the righteous live;
¹⁶ for though they fall seven times, they will rise again;
   but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,
   and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble,
¹⁸ or else the Lord will see it and be displeased,
   and turn away his anger from them.

¹⁹ Do not fret because of evildoers.
   Do not envy the wicked;
²⁰ for the evil have no future;
   the lamp of the wicked will go out.

²¹ My child, fear the Lord and the king,
   and do not disobey either of them;^*
22 for disaster comes from them suddenly,
   and who knows the ruin that both can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

²³   These also are sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judging is not good.
²⁴ Whoever says to the wicked, ‘You are innocent’,
   will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;
²⁵ but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
   and a good blessing will come upon them.
²⁶ One who gives an honest answer
   gives a kiss on the lips.

²⁷ Prepare your work outside,
   get everything ready for you in the field;
   and after that build your house.

²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbour without cause,
   and do not deceive with your lips.
²⁹ Do not say, ‘I will do to others as they have done to me;
   I will pay them back for what they have done.’

³⁰ I passed by the field of one who was lazy,
   by the vineyard of a stupid person;
³¹ and see, it was all overgrown with thorns;
   the ground was covered with nettles,
   and its stone wall was broken down.
³² Then I saw and considered it;
   I looked and received instruction.
³³ A little sleep, a little slumber,
   a little folding of the hands to rest,
³⁴ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
   and want, like an armed warrior.