16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

24 "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,

to help them understand the insights of the wise.

3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

8 My child,* listen when your father corrects you.

Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck.

20 My son, obey your father’s commands,

and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

21 Keep their words always in your heart.

Tie them around your neck.

22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.

When you sleep, they will protect you.

When you wake up, they will advise you.

23 For their command is a lamp

and their instruction a light;

their corrective discipline

is the way to life.

5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.

Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.

7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.

Embrace her, and she will honor you.

13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.

Guard them, for they are the key to life.

14 Don’t do as the wicked do,

and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

23 Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;

stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,

and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;

stay on the safe path.

27 Don’t get sidetracked;

keep your feet from following evil.

14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;

those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

1 O my people, listen to my instructions.

Open your ears to what I am saying,

2 for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

3 stories we have heard and known,

stories our ancestors handed down to us.

4 We will not hide these truths from our children;

we will tell the next generation

about the glorious deeds of the Lord,

about his power and his mighty wonders.

10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well,* especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!"*

16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer,* as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.

9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The people* were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?" they asked.

16 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.