Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
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5 Days
Are you weary? Worn out by the bills that keep stacking or a heart that keeps aching? If so, the book of Esther brings welcome news: Relief will come! Though God never promised us a life without trials, he does promise to be with us as we walk through them. In this 5-day plan, you'll learn to trust that God can redeem your struggles for a mighty purpose.
In every life, there are forces beyond our control that overwhelm us, so we need spiritual grounding more than ever. I’ve found unexpected answers in faithful Christians from across centuries and cultures who’ve encountered God’s presence. They are saints of amazement who hold out fragments of the Life that is life. Their stories, disciplines, and spiritual practices invite you to taste and see that the Lord is good.
7 Days
During our time of grace on earth, we live as God's children, living lives of repentence, worship, and service.
This is a seven-day devotional focusing on the power of relationships and the need to live an open life.
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