The plans ¹  of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. ² 

Have I not written thirty sayings ¹  for you, sayings ²  of counsel and knowledge,

I gave them over to their stubborn desires; ¹  they did what seemed right to them. ² 

A sword will flash in their cities, it will destroy the bars of their city gates, and will devour them in their fortresses.

Condemn them, ¹  O God! May their own schemes be their downfall! ²  Drive them away ³  because of their many acts of insurrection, ⁴  for they have rebelled against you.

But they did not listen to me or pay any attention to me. They followed the stubborn inclinations of their own wicked hearts. They acted worse and worse instead of better. ¹ 

From you, O Nineveh, ¹  one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord, a wicked military strategist. ² 

You are tired out from listening to so much advice. ¹  Let them take their stand – the ones who see omens in the sky, who gaze at the stars, who make monthly predictions – let them rescue you from the disaster that is about to overtake you! ² 

You implement the regulations of Omri, and all the practices of Ahab’s dynasty; ¹  you follow their policies. ²  Therefore I will make you an appalling sight, ³  the city’s ⁴  inhabitants will be taunted derisively, ⁵  and nations will mock all of you.” ⁶ 

My child, ²  if ³  you receive my words, and store up ⁴  my commands within you,

Watch them from morning to evening; ¹  I am the object of their mocking songs.

O Lord, you are my God! ¹  I will exalt you in praise, I will extol your fame. ²  For you have done extraordinary things, and executed plans made long ago exactly as you decreed. ³ 

I will praise ¹  the Lord who ²  guides ³  me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn. ⁴ 

(Let the wise also ¹  hear ²  and gain ³  instruction, and let the discerning ⁴  acquire ⁵  guidance! ⁶ )

The clouds ¹  go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out ²  all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.

He said to them, “The secret ¹  of the kingdom of God has been given ²  to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables,

Even on my servants, ¹  both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ² 

God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? ¹  But we have the mind of Christ.

So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will ¹  bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition ²  from God.