Bible Browser

Precepts for Everyday Living

5Do not rely on your wealth,
   or say, ‘I have enough.’
² Do not follow your inclination and strength
   in pursuing the desires of your heart.
³ Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’
   for the Lord will surely punish you.

⁴ Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’
   for the Lord is slow to anger.
⁵ Do not be so confident of forgiveness^*
   that you add sin to sin.
⁶ Do not say, ‘His mercy is great,
   he will forgive^* the multitude of my sins’,
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
   and his anger will rest on sinners.
⁷ Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,
   and do not postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you,
   and at the time of punishment you will perish.
⁸ Do not depend on dishonest wealth,
   for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity.

⁹ Do not winnow in every wind,
   or follow every path.^*
10 Stand firm for what you know,
   and let your speech be consistent.
¹¹ Be quick to hear,
   but deliberate in answering.
¹² If you know what to say, answer your neighbour;
   but if not, put your hand over your mouth.

¹³ Honour and dishonour come from speaking,
   and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.
¹⁴ Do not be called double-tongued^*
   and do not lay traps with your tongue;
for shame comes to the thief,
   and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.
¹⁵ In great and small matters cause no harm,^*