Add parallel Print Page Options

Book I

(Psalms 1–41)

Psalm 1

The Two Ways

Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path that sinners tread
    or sit in the seat of scoffers,(A)
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.(B)
They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.(C)

The wicked are not so
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.(D)
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous,(E)
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.(F)

Sayings of Agur

30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.

Thus says the man: I am weary, O God;
    I am weary, O God, and am wasting away.[a](A)
Surely I am too stupid to be human;
    I do not have human understanding.(B)
I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.[b](C)
Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is the person’s name?
    And what is the name of the person’s child?
    Surely you know!(D)

Every word of God proves true;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.(E)
Do not add to his words,
    lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.(F)

Two things I ask of you;
    do not deny them to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
    give me neither poverty nor riches;
    feed me with the food that I need,(G)
lest I be full and deny you
    and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or I be poor and steal
    and profane the name of my God.(H)

10 Do not slander a servant to a master,
    lest the servant curse you, and you be held guilty.(I)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 30.1 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 30.3 Or Holy One

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony[a] of God to you with superior speech or wisdom.(A) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom[b] but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,(B) so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2.1 Other ancient authorities read mystery
  2. 2.4 Other ancient authorities read the persuasiveness of wisdom