1 A wise son gladdens the father. Yet truly, a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of impiety will profit nothing. Truly, justice shall liberate from death.
3 The Lord will not afflict with famine the soul of the just, and he will overthrow the treacheries of the impious.
4 The neglectful hand has wrought destitution. But the hand of the steadfast prepares riches. He who advances by lies, this one feeds on the wind. For he is the same as one who runs after flying birds.
5 He who gathers the harvest is a wise son. But he who snores in warm weather is a son of confusion.
6 The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the just. But iniquity covers the mouth of the impious.
7 The remembrance of the just is with praises. And the name of the impious shall decay.
8 The wise of heart accept precepts. The foolish are cut down by the lips.
9 He who walks in simplicity walks in confidence. But he who corrupts his ways shall be discovered.
10 He who winks with the eye gives sorrow. And the foolish in lips shall be beaten.
11 The mouth of the just is a vein of life. And the mouth of the impious covers iniquity.
12 Hatred rises up from disputes. And charity covers all offenses.
13 In the lips of the wise, wisdom is discovered. And a rod is for the back of one who lacks heart.
14 The wise store away knowledge. But the mouth of the foolish is a neighbor to confusion.
15 The substance of the rich is the city of his strength. The fear of the poor is their destitution.
16 The work of the just is unto life. But the fruit of the impious is unto sin.
17 The way of life is for those who observe discipline. But whoever abandons correction wanders astray.
18 Lying lips conceal hatred; whoever brings forth contempt is unwise.
19 In a multitude of speaking, sin will not be lacking. But whoever tempers his lips is most prudent.
20 The tongue of the just is choice silver. But the heart of the impious is exchanged for nothing.
21 The lips of the just instruct many. But those who are unlearned shall die in destitution of heart.
22 The blessing of the Lord causes riches. Affliction will not be a companion to them.
23 The foolish work wickedness as if in jest. But wisdom is prudence to a man.
24 What the impious fear will overwhelm them. The just shall be given their desire.
25 Like a passing tempest, so the impious one will be no more. But the just one is like an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is a lazy one to those who sent him.
27 The fear of the Lord adds days. And the years of the impious will be shortened.
28 The expectation of the just is rejoicing. But the hope of the impious will perish.
29 The strength of the simple is the way of the Lord, and it is fear to those who work evil.
30 The just in eternity shall not be moved. But the impious will not live upon the earth.
31 The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom. The tongue of the depraved will perish.
32 The lips of the just consider what is acceptable. And the mouth of the impious considers perversities.
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56 Joseph, the son of Zachariah, and Azariah, the leader of the army, heard good things about the battles that were fought.
57 And he said, “Let us also make a name for ourselves, and let us go to fight against the Gentiles that are all around us.”
58 And he gave orders to those who were in his army, and they went out towards Jamnia.
59 And Gorgias and his men exited the city, to meet them in the fight.
60 And Joseph and Azariah were forced to flee, even to the borders of Judea. And there fell on that day, from the people of Israel, up to two thousand men, and it was a great defeat for the people.
61 For they did not listen to Judas and his brothers, supposing that they should act boldly.
62 But these were not of the offspring of those men by whom salvation was brought to Israel.
63 And the men of Judah were magnified greatly in the sight of all Israel and of all the nations where their name was heard.
64 And the people gathered to them with favorable acclamations.
65 And so Judas and his brothers went out and assailed the sons of Esau, in the land that is toward the south, and he struck Hebron and her sister cities, and he burned its walls and the towers all around it with fire.
66 And he moved his camp to go into the land of the foreigners, and he traveled through Samaria.
67 In that day, some priests fell in battle. Since they desired to act boldly, they went out, without counsel, into the battle.
68 And Judas turned aside to Azotus, into the land of the foreigners, and he destroyed their altars, and he burned the statues of their gods with fire. And he seized the spoils of the cities, and he returned to the land of Judah.
117 Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications.
118 Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.
119 I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.
120 Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.
121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.
122 Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.
123 My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice.
1 And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus,
2 and by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others also.
3 Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himself.
5 Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully.
6 The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce.
7 Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
8 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel.
9 I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound.
10 I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself.
14 Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners.
15 Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly.
16 But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.
17 And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons.
19 But the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
20 But, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonor.
21 If anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work.
22 So then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife.
24 For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient,
25 correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth,
26 and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.
