Scripture Readings

Thursday, April 9, 1998

Proverbs 23:15-24:5 (Vespers, 2nd reading)

15
My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself;
16
yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
18
for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
19
Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
20
Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
22
Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
25
Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
26
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27
For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well.
28
She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.
29
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30
Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
31
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly;
32
at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
33
Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.
34
Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35
“They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
1
Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;
2
For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.
3
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
4
By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5
A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;