Proverbs, Chapter 9

(1) Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: (2) She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. (3) She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, (4) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (5) Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. (6) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (7) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (8) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. (9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (11) For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. (12) If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. (13) A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. (14) For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, (15) To call passengers who go right on their ways: (16) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (17) Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. (18) But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

A Random Prayer...

To Protect Life

Loving God, I thank you for the gift of life you gave and continue to give to me and to all of us. Merciful God, I ask your pardon and forgiveness for my own failure and the failure of all people to respect and foster all forms of life in our universe. Gracious God, I pray that with your grace, I and all people will reverence, protect, and promote all life and that we will be especially sensitive to the life of the unborn, the abused, neglected, disabled, and the elderly. I pray, too, that all who make decisions about life in any form will do so with wisdom, love, and courage. Living God, I praise and glorify you as Father, Source of all life, as Son, Savior of our lives, and as Spirit, Sanctifier of our lives. Amen.

more prayers...