Through the Bible – Day 250

Bible text(s)

Proverbs 18

It's wrong to favour the guilty

1It's selfish and stupid

to think only of yourself

and to sneer at people

who have sense.

2Fools have no desire to learn;

they would much rather

give their own opinion.

3Wrongdoing leads to shame

and disgrace.

4Words of wisdom

are a stream that flows

from a deep fountain.

5It's wrong to favour the guilty

and keep the innocent

from getting justice.

6Foolish talk will get you

into a lot of trouble.

7Saying foolish things

is like setting a trap

to destroy yourself.

8There's nothing so delicious

as the taste of gossip!

It melts in your mouth.

9Being lazy is no different

from being a troublemaker.

10The LORD is a mighty tower

where his people can run

for safety—

11the rich think their money

is a wall of protection.

12Pride leads to destruction;

humility leads to honour.

13It's stupid and embarrassing

to give an answer

before you listen.

14Being cheerful helps

when we are sick,

but nothing helps

when we give up.

15Everyone with good sense

wants to learn.

16A gift will get you in

to see anyone.

17You may think you have won

your case in court,

until your opponent speaks.

18Drawing straws is one-way

to settle a difficult case.

19Making up with a friend

you have offended

is harder than breaking

through a city wall.

20Make your words good—

you will be glad you did.

21Words can bring death or life!

Talk too much, and you will eat

everything you say.

22A man's greatest treasure

is his wife—

she is a gift from the LORD.

23The poor must beg for help,

but the rich can give

a harsh reply.

24Some friends don't help,

but a true friend is closer

than your own family.

Proverbs 18:1-24CEVOpen in Bible reader

2 Corinthians 1

Paul gives thanks to God

1From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, who is also a follower.

To God's church in Corinth and to all God's people in Achaia.

2I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

Paul gives thanks

3Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. 4He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. 5We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives. 6We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. And because we are comforted, you will also be comforted, as you patiently endure suffering like ours. 7You never disappoint us. You suffered as much as we did, and we know that you will be comforted as we were.

8My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. 9In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life. 10God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again. 11Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.

The work of an apostle for God's people

Paul's change of plans

12We can be proud of our clear conscience. We have always lived honestly and sincerely, especially when we were with you. And we were guided by God's wonderful kindness instead of by the wisdom of this world. 13I am not writing anything you cannot read and understand. I hope you will understand it completely, 14just as you already partly understand us. Then when our Lord Jesus returns, you can be as proud of us as we are of you.

15I was so sure of your pride in us that I had planned to visit you first of all. In this way you would have the blessing of two visits from me. 16Once on my way to Macedonia and again on my return from there. Then you could send me on to Judea. 17Do you think I couldn't make up my mind about what to do? Or do I seem like someone who says “Yes” or “No” simply to please others? 18God can be trusted, and so can I, when I say that our answer to you has always been “Yes” and never “No”. 19This is because Jesus Christ the Son of God is always “Yes” and never “No”. And he is the one that Silas, Timothy, and I told you about.

20Christ says “Yes” to all of God's promises. That's why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God. 21And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us 22and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him.

23God is my witness that I stayed away from Corinth, just to keep from being hard on you. 24We are not bosses who tell you what to believe. We are working with you to make you glad, because your faith is strong.

2 Corinthians 2

1I have decided not to make my next visit to you so painful. 2If I make you feel bad, who would be left to cheer me up, except the people I had made to feel bad? 3The reason I want to be happy is to make you happy. I wrote as I did because I didn't want to visit you and be made to feel bad, when you should make me feel happy. 4At the time I wrote, I was suffering terribly. My eyes were full of tears, and my heart was broken. But I didn't want to make you feel bad. I only wanted to let you know how much I cared for you.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4CEVOpen in Bible reader
Canadian Bible Societyv.4.24.4
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