5 If any of you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without holding back.

14 We can be confident that he will listen to us as long as we ask in accordance with his will.

9 But if we confess our sins, he is trustworthy and right so that he can forgive us our sins and make us clean from all that is not right in us.

5 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don’t rely on what you think you know! 6 Remember him in everything you do, and he’ll show you the right way.

6 Remember him in everything you do, and he’ll show you the right way.

11 I know what I intend to do for you, declares the Lord. I plan good things for you and not bad. I’m going to give you a future and a hope.

14 A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.

33 The lot is thrown into the lap,* but the Lord makes every decision.

1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.

2 Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.

3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.

4 People’s words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.

5 It’s not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.

6 What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they’re asking for a beating.

7 Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.

8 Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.

9 Laziness and destruction are brothers.

10 The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.

11 Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it’s like a high wall in their imagination.

12 Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.

13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.

14 With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it’s crushed, you can’t bear it.

16 All Scripture inspired by God is useful for teaching, for confronting what is wrong, for setting us straight, and for telling us what is right.

17 This is how God provides a thorough preparation for those who work for him to accomplish all that’s good.

7 When they arrived at the border of Mysia they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter.

1 The church at Antioch had prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (the childhood friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart* Barnabas and Saul to do the work I’ve called them to." 3 After they had fasted, prayed, and placed their hands on them in blessing, they sent them on their way.

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, make sure to do everything to the glory of God.

1 For that reason, since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of people who gave evidence of their trust in God, let’s get rid of everything that holds us back, the seductive sins that trip us up, and let’s keep on running the race placed before us.

5 The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon. God said to him, "Ask what you want me to give you."

6 Solomon replied, "You showed your servant David, my father, great trustworthy love because he lived his life before you with faithfulness, doing what was right and committed to principle. You have continued to show this great trustworthy love by giving him a son to sit on his throne to this day.

7 Now, Lord God, you have made me king in place of my father David. But I am like an inexperienced young boy who doesn’t know what to do.* 8 I, your servant, am here among your chosen people, a great people that are so many they cannot be counted. 9 So please give me a mind that’s receptive so I can rule* your people well, understanding the difference between right and wrong, for who can rule this difficult people of yours?"

10 The Lord considered that what Solomon asked for was good. 11 So God told him, "Because you asked for this, and you didn’t ask for a long life, or wealth, or the death of your enemies, but instead you asked for understanding to know what is right, 12 I am giving you what you asked for. I am giving you a mind that is wise, with an understanding of what is right, more than anyone else before you or after you.

9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

10 But he told her, "You’re talking just like any foolish woman would! Should we receive only good from God, and not evil?"* Despite all this, Job said nothing sinful.