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Ephesians 5
(“overseer.“)
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(New International Version)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.  This is why it is said:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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Proverbs 22
(“a common saying, old adage, maxim”  “Words put forth“)
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(New International Version)

A Good Name

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

favor is better than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common:

The LORD is Maker of them all.

The prudent see danger and take cover,

but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD

are wealth and honor and life.

Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse;

he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is slave to the lender.

He who sows injustice will reap disaster,

and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

A generous man will be blessed,

for he shares his bread with the poor.

Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart;

even quarreling and insults will cease.

He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips

will have the king for a friend.

The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,

but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

The slacker says, “There is a lion outside!

I will be slain in the streets!”

The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;

he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich

will surely lead to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—

apply your mind to my knowledge—

for it is pleasing when you keep them within you

and they are constantly on your lips.

So that your trust may be in the LORD,

I instruct you today—yes, you.

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

about counsel and knowledge,

to show you true and reliable words,

that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

Saying 2

Do not rob a poor man because he is poor,

and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

for the LORD will take up their case

and will plunder those who rob them.

Saying 3

Do not make friends with an angry man,

and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,

or you may learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

Saying 4

Do not be one who gives pledges,

who puts up security for debts.

If you have nothing with which to pay,

why should your bed be taken from under you?

Saying 5

Do not move an ancient boundary stone

which your fathers have placed.

Saying 6

Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will be stationed in the presence of kings;

he will not stand before obscure men.

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Psalm 101
“sacred poem or song“
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(New King James Version)

I Will Sing of Loving Kindness and Justice

{A Psalm of David.} I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.