Proverbs 23:1-11 (NRSV)

​1When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
observe carefully what is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat
if you have a big appetite.
3Do not desire the ruler's delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.
4Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
be wise enough to desist.
5When your eyes light upon it, it is gone;
for suddenly it takes wings to itself,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6Do not eat the bread of the stingy;
do not desire their delicacies;
7for like a hair in the throat, so are they.
"Eat and drink!" they say to you;
but they do not mean it.
8You will vomit up the little you have eaten,
and you will waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
who will only despise the wisdom of your words.
10Do not remove an ancient landmark
or encroach on the fields of orphans,
11for their redeemer is strong;
he will plead their cause against you.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Daily Bible Reading: Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Proverbs 9:1-18 (NRSV)

​1Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
3She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
4"You that are simple, turn in here!"
To those without sense she says,
5"Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."
7Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.
8A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you;
the wise, when rebuked, will love you.
9Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13The foolish woman is loud;
she is ignorant and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the high places of the town,
15calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16"You who are simple, turn in here!"
And to those without sense she says,
17"Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18But they do not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

ELCA's daily Bible readings are chosen from "Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings," prepared by Consultation on the Common Texts, © 2005.
All text is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches USA, and is used by permission. All rights reserved.