1 Thessalonians 1

Psalm 97

The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 98

A Psalm.

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he has done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory. The LORD has made known his salvation: his righteousness has he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; for he comes to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Proverbs 28

The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Whoso keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.

He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out.

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

Happy is the man that fears alway: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

The prince that wants understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Whoso walks uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.

He that rebukes a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue.

Whoso robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered.

He that gives unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.