Tuesday, March 30

9'The bricks fell, but let us hew stones; and let us cut down sycamores and cedars, and we shall build ourselves a tower.'

10But God shall overthrow those who rise up against them on Mt. Zion, and scatter their enemies:

11the Syrians from the rising of the sun, the Greeks from the setting of the sun, and those who shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still uplifted.

12But the people did not turn until they were struck, yet they did not seek the Lord.

13So the Lord took away head and tail from Israel, great and small, in one day.

14The elder and those who admire persons, this is the head. The prophet who teaches lawlessness, this is the tail.

15For those who bless this people lead them astray, and they lead them astray so as to destroy them.

16Therefore God will have no joy in their young men, nor mercy on their orphans and widows. For all of them are lawless and evil. Every mouth speaks injustices. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still uplifted.

17For lawlessness burns like fire, and like dry grass, it shall be consumed by fire and burn in the thickets of the forest. It shall devour all the hills round about.

18Because of the Lord's wrath the entire land is burned up, and the people are as fuel for the fire. No man will have mercy on his brother.

19But one shall turn aside to the right hand, for he shall be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and not be satisfied. Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm.

20Manasseh shall devour Ephraim and Ephraim Manasseh. Together they shall besiege Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still uplifted.

1Woe to those who write evil things, for when they write such things,

2they turn aside judgment from the poor, and rob judgment from the needy of My people, that the widow may be their prey and the orphan a spoil.

3What will they do in the day of visitation? For affliction will come to you from afar, and to whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your glory,

4so as not to fall into captivity?' For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still uplifted.

1Then the Lord God said to Noah, 'Enter the ark, you and all your family, because I have seen you righteous before Me in this generation.

2You shall also bring with you into the ark the clean cattle by sevens, male and female; and the unclean cattle by twos, male and female;

3and the clean birds of heaven by twos, male and female, to keep seed alive on the face of all the earth.

4For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will blot out from the face of the earth every living thing I made.'

5So Noah did all the Lord God commanded him.

32Now therefore, my son, hear me: Blessed is the man who shall hearken to me And the man who shall guard my ways;

33Who watches daily at my doors, Who keeps watch at the doors of my entry ways;

34For my issues are the issues of life, And grace is prepared from the Lord.

35But those who sin against me act ungodly toward their own souls, And those who hate me love death."

1Wisdom built her house, And she supported it with seven pillars.

2She offered her sacrifices; She mixed her wine in a bowl And prepared her table.

3She sent her servants, Inviting people to the bowl with a lofty proclamation, saying,

4"He who is without discernment, Let him turn aside to me"; And to those in need of discernment, she says,

5"Come, eat my bread And drink the wine I mixed for you;

6Forsake lack of discernment, and you shall live; Seek discernment so you may live, And keep straight your understanding with knowledge."

7He who chastises evil men shall receive dishonor to himself, And he who reproves the ungodly man shall be blamed himself.

8Do not reprove evil men, so they may not hate you; Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser; Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the counsel of saints is understanding; For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.

11For in this manner you will live a long time, And the years of your life shall be increased.