Exodus 31, John 10, Proverbs 7, Galatians 6

Exodus 31,

1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
 
2 "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
 
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-
 
4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,
 
5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
 
6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:
 
7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent-
 
8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense,
 
9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand-
 
10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests,
 
11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you."
 
12 Then the LORD said to Moses,
 
13 "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.
 
14 " 'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.
 
15 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.
 
16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant.
 
17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.' "
 
18 When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

John 10,

1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
 
2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.
 
3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
 
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
 
5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
 
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
 
7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
 
8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
 
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
 
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
 
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
 
12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
 
13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
 
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-
 
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.
 
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
 
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again.
 
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
 
19 At these words the Jews were again divided.
 
20 Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"
 
21 But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
 
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
 
23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.
 
24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
 
25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,
 
26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
 
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
 
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
 
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
 
30 I and the Father are one."
 
31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,
 
32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
 
33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
 
34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?
 
35 If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came-and the Scripture cannot be broken-
 
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
 
37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.
 
38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
 
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
 
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed
 
41 and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true."
 
42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.

Proverbs 7,

1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
 
2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
 
3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
 
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman;
 
5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
 
6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
 
7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
 
8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
 
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
 
10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
 
11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
 
12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
 
13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
 
14 "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
 
15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
 
16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
 
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
 
18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!
 
19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
 
20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."
 
21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
 
22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
 
23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
 
24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
 
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
 
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
 
27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Galatians 6

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
 
2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
 
3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
 
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
 
5 for each one should carry his own load.
 
6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
 
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
 
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
 
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
 
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
 
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
 
12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
 
13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
 
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
 
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
 
16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
 
17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
 
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.