Exodus 38, John 17, Proverbs 14, Philippians 1

Exodus 38,

1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
 
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
 
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
 
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
 
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
 
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
 
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
 
8 A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.
 
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
 
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
 
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
 
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
 
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
 
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
 
15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
 
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
 
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
 
18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
 
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
 
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
 
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
 
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
 
23 A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.
 
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
 
25 The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

John 17,

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
 
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
 
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
 
4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
 
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
 
6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
 
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
 
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
 
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
 
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
 
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one.
 
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
 
13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
 
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
 
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
 
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
 
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
 
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
 
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
 
20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
 
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
 
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
 
23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
 
24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
 
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
 
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Proverbs 14,

1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
 
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
 
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
 
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
 
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
 
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
 
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
 
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
 
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
 
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
 
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
 
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
 
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
 
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.
 
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
 
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
 
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
 
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
 
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
 
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
 
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
 
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
 
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
 
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
 
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
 
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
 
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
 
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
 
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
 
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
 
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
 
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
 
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
 
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
 
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

Philippians 1

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
 
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
 
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
 
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
 
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.
 
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
 
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
 
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
 
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.
 
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
 
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
 
14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
 
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
 
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
 
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
 
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
 
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
 
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
 
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
 
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
 
23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
 
24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
 
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
 
26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
 
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
 
28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God.
 
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
 
30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.