Proverbs 22:1–29 (NIV84)

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ² Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. ³ A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. ⁴ Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. ⁵ In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. ⁶ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. ¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. ¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. ¹³ The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!” ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the Lord’s wrath will fall into it. ¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. ¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. ¹⁷ Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, ¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. ¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. ²⁰ Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, ²¹ teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you? ²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, ²³ for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, ²⁵ or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. ²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; ²⁷ if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. ²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

Galatians 6:1–18 (NIV84)

¹ Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, ⁵ for each one should carry his own load. ⁶ Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! ¹² Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. ¹⁷ Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.