Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. 2Verse 2. When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3Verse 3. A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4Verse 4. By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. 5Verse 5. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6Verse 6. An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. 7Verse 7. The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns. 8Verse 8. Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9Verse 9. If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10Verse 10. Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11Verse 11. A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12Verse 12. If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. 13Verse 13. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. 14Verse 14. A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever. 15Verse 15. A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 16Verse 16. When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Verse 17. Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul. 18Verse 18. Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. 19Verse 19. A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20Verse 20. Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21Verse 21. A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end. 22Verse 22. An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23Verse 23. A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. 24Verse 24. A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify. 25Verse 25. The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. 26Verse 26. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD. 27Verse 27. An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

12Verse 12. So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. 13Verse 13. For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. 14Verse 14. My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” 15Verse 15. Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! 16Verse 16. Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame. 17Verse 17. And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. 18Verse 18. The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. 19Verse 19. The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them. 20Verse 20. On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.