to guard ¹  the paths of the righteous ²  and to protect ³  the way of his pious ones. ⁴ 

A wicked person receives a bribe secretly ¹  to pervert ²  the ways of justice.

Listen, my child, ¹  and be wise, and guide your heart on the right way.

They will sprout up like a tree in the grass, ¹  like poplars beside channels of water.

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹ 

He ¹  began to teach ²  in their synagogues ³  and was praised ⁴  by all.

But Jesus ¹  turned and rebuked them, ² 

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹ 

Absolutely not! For otherwise how could God judge the world?

What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!

Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.

Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. In the course of time David’s son Amnon fell madly in love with her. ¹ 

Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. His division consisted of 24,000 men.

You know, for you were born before them; ¹  and the number of your days is great!

He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; ¹  he does not reject what is evil. ² 

Your neck is like the tower ¹  of David built with courses of stones; ²  one thousand shields are hung on it – all shields of valiant warriors. ³ 

When ¹  the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from ²  (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he ³  called the bridegroom

Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, ¹  that the Lord’s message ²  may spread quickly and be honored ³  as in fact it was among you,

So ¹  they are astonished ²  when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you. ³ 

In the fourth generation ¹  your descendants ²  will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit.” ³