When the righteous increase, the people are glad,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

By justice the king causes the land to stand,
But a man of bribes tears it down.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked—double dealing—though he be rich.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the lowly who understands searches him.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will receive compassion.

Proverbs 27; Luke 1:26-56; Matt 1:18-24; Luke 2:1-21; Matt 1:25-2:12

Christmas story

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end.”

Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are stumbling to the slaughter, Oh hold them back.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts understand?
And does not He who guards your soul know?
And will not He render to man according to his work?

Do not let your heart be jealous of sinners,
But be zealous in the fear of Yahweh always.
Surely there is a future,
And your hope will not be cut off.
You, my son, listen and be wise,
And direct your heart in the way.

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And set your heart on my knowledge;
For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
That they may be established on your lips.
So that your trust may be in Yahweh,
I have made you know today, even you.
Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
To make you know the veracity of the words of truth
That you may respond with the words of truth to him who sent you?

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of Yahweh;
He turns it wherever He pleases.
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But Yahweh weighs the hearts.
To do righteousness and justice
Is chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
The fallow ground of the wicked—are sin.
•••

There is no wisdom, there is no discernment
And there is no counsel against Yahweh.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

It is a glory for a man to cease quarreling,
But any ignorant fool will break out in dispute.

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Hope in Yahweh, and He will save you.

House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who despises his way will die.

The fear of Yahweh leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, not visited by evil.