Proverbs 26 (ESV)

26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
²  Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
³  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
⁴  Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
⁵  Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
⁶  Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
⁷  Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
⁸  Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹  Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰  Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
¹¹  Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
¹²  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
¹³  The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
¹⁴  As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
¹⁵  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
¹⁶  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
¹⁷  Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
¹⁸  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
¹⁹  is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
²⁰  For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
²¹  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
²²  The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
²³  Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
²⁴  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
²⁵  when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶  though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
²⁸  A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Psalm 119:73–80 (ESV)

YODH

⁷³  Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

⁷⁴  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.

⁷⁵  I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

⁷⁶  Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.

⁷⁷  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.

⁷⁸  Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

⁷⁹  Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.

⁸⁰  May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!

1 Peter 4:1–19 (ESV)

Stewards of God’s Grace

4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.