Open Word

FIRST READING

Proverbs 11:1-31

Verse 1. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. Verse 2. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Verse 3. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Verse 4. Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. Verse 5. The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. Verse 6. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires. Verse 7. When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes. Verse 8. The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in. Verse 9. With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. Verse 10. When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Verse 11. By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Verse 12. Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. Verse 13. A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Verse 14. For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. Verse 15. He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure. Verse 16. A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Verse 17. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. Verse 18. The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. Verse 19. Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death. Verse 20. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Verse 21. Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape. Verse 22. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Verse 23. The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. Verse 24. One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. Verse 25. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Verse 26. The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it. Verse 27. He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it. Verse 28. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. Verse 29. He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. Verse 30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Verse 31. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

PSALM

Psalm 73:1-20

A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.

They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.

Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.

So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.

The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

Behold, these are the wicked — always carefree as they increase their wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.

For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.

When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight

until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.

Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.

How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!

Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

SECOND READING

Hebrews 12:3-13

Verse 3. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Verse 4. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Verse 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. Verse 6. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” Verse 7. Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? Verse 8. If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Verse 9. Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? Verse 10. Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. Verse 11. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. Verse 12. Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. Verse 13. Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.