5 *But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

14 We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will.

9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. 6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.

6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.

11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.*

14 *A nation will fall if it has no guidance. Many advisers mean security.

33 People cast lots to learn God’s will, but God himself determines the answer.

1 People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.

2 A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.

3 Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place.

4 A person’s words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.

5 It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.

6 When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating.

7 When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.

8 Gossip is so tasty—how we love to swallow it!

9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive.

10 The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe. 11 Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city.

12 No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.

13 *Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting.

14 Your will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but if you lose it, your last hope is gone.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful* for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,

17 so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

7 When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

1 In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (who had been brought up with Governor Herod*), and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them."

3 They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.

31 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.

1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

5 That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, "What would you like me to give you?"

6 Solomon answered, "You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. 7 O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don’t know how to rule. 8 Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11 and so he said to him, "Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again.

9 His wife said to him, "You are still as faithful as ever, aren’t you? Why don’t you curse God and die?"

10 Job answered, "You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?" Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God.