Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. 2 Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. 3 No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. 4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. 8 A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. 9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. 12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. 13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. 14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. 15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. 16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. 17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. 21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. 23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly. 24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. 25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. 26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. 28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Proverbs 11

1 The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. 7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. 8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. 9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. 15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. 16 A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 19 Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. 20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. 21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. 22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. 27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. 28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. 29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. 31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Silent Night

Silent Night! Holy Night!

John Freeman Young (verses 1-3), ca. 1859
William C. Egan (verses 4-6), 2007

1. Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

2. Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

3. Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!

4. Silent Night, Holy Night
Here at last, healing light
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.

5. Silent Night! Holy Night"
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below
A Child from whom all blessings flow
Jesus, embraces mankind.
Jesus, embraces mankind.

6. Silent Night, Holy Night
Mindful of mankind's plight
The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed
From earthly woes we would be freed
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.

Silent Night! Hallowed Night!
J. F. Warner, 1849

1. Silent night! hallowed night!
Land and deep silent sleep;
Softly glitters bright Bethlehem's star.
Beckoning Israel's eye from afar
Where the Saviour is born.

2. Silent night! hallowed night!
On the plain wakes the strain,
Sung by heavenly harbingers bright,
Fraught with tidings of boundless delight
Christ the Saviour has come.

3. Silent night! hallowed night!
Earth awake, silence break,
High your anthems of melody raise,
Heaven and earth in full chorus of praise:
Peace for ever shall reign.

Holy Night! Peaceful Night!
Jane Montgomery Campbell (1817-1878), 1863

1. Holy night! Peaceful night!
All is dark, save the light
Yonder where they sweet vigils keep,
O'er the Babe who in silent sleep,
Rests in heavenly peace.
Rests in Heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing —
"Hallelujah! hail the King!
Jesus Christ is here!"
Jesus Christ is here!

3. Silent night! peaceful night!
Child of heaven! O how bright
Thou didst smile when Thou wast born;
Blessèd was that happy morn,
Full of heavenly joy.
Full of heavenly joy.

4. Silent night! holiest night!
Guiding star, O, lend thy light!
See the eastern wise men bring
Gifts and homage to our King!
Jesus Christ is here!
Jesus Christ is here!

5. Silent night! holiest night!
Wondrous star! O, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Hallelujah to our King!
Jesus Christ is here!
Jesus Christ is here!

Holy Night! Peaceful Night!
Alfred Bell, circa 1869

1. Holy night! peaceful night!
Thro' the darkness beams a light;
Holy night! peaceful night!
Thro' the darkness beams a light,
Thro' the darkness beams a light!
Yonder, where they sweet vigils keep
O'er the Babe, who, in silent sleep;
Rests in heav'nly peace,
Rests in heav'nly peace.

2. Silent night! holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Silent night! holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing
Alleluia! hail the King!
Jesus the Savior is here,
Jesus the Savior is here."

3. Silent night! peaceful night!
Child of heaven! O how bright
Silent night! peaceful night!
Child of heaven! O how bright
Child of heaven! O how bright
Thou didst smile when Thou wast born;
Blessed was that happy morn,
Full of heavenly joy.
Full of heavenly joy.

4. Silent night! holiest night!
Guiding Star, O lend Thy light!
Silent night! holiest night!
Guiding Star, O lend Thy light!
Guiding Star, O lend Thy light!
See the eastern wise men bring
Gifts and homage to our King!
Jesus the Saviour is here!
Jesus the Saviour is here!

5. Silent night! holiest night!
Wondrous Star, O lend Thy light!
Silent night! holiest night!
Wondrous Star, O lend Thy light!
Wondrous Star, O lend Thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Jesus our Saviour is here!
Jesus our Saviour is here!

Silent Night, Peaceful Night!

Translator Unknown, ca. 1872

1. Silent night, peaceful night!
All things sleep, shepherds keep
Watch on Bethlehem's silent hill;
And unseen, while all is still,
Angels watch above,
Angels watch above.

2. Bright the star shines afar,
Guiding trav'lers on their way;
Who their gold and incense bring,
Offerings to the promised King,
Child of David's line,
Child of David's line.

3. Light around! joyous sound!
Angel voices wake the air;
"Glory be to God in heav'n;
Peace on earth to you is giv'n,
Jesus the Saviour is come,
Jesus the Saviour is come."

Silent Night, Holiest Night
Rev. Dr. Alfred Edersheim (1825-1889), ca. 1875

1. Silent night, holiest night,
All asleep, lonely light,
Where adoring watch the pair,
Watch, as in His Father's care
     Sleeps the infant Christ.
     Sleeps the infant Christ.

2. Silent night, holiest night,
Shepherds saw angels bright,
Heard from heaven the white-robed throng
Bearing down to earth the song,
     "Christ the Lord is come."
     "Christ the Lord is come."

3. Silent night, holiest night,
Son of God, O how bright
Beams the ray of heavenly grace
In the infant Saviour's face,
     Saviour, born for us.
     Saviour, born for us.

Still The Night, Holy The Night
Rev. Stopford A. Brooke (1832-1916), ca. 1881

1. Still the night, Holy the night,
Sleeps the world, yet the light
Shines where Mary watches there,
Her child Jesus sweet and fair.
Sleeping in heavenly rest;
Sleeping in heavenly rest.

2. Still the night, Holy the night,
Shepherds first told aright,
How the Angel-Hallelujah,
Rang so loud from near and far;
Jesus, a Saviour, is born;
Jesus, a Saviour, is born.

3. Still the night, Holy the night,
Little child, O how bright
Love is smiling from thy Face!
Now there strikes the hour of grace;
Jesus, our Master, is here;
Jesus, our Master, is here.

Silent Night, Holiest Night!
Charles Timothy Brooks (20 June 1813 - 14 June 1883)

1. Silent night, holiest night!
Moonbeams form silvery light
Hark! The tidings from star to star,
Borne by angels from near and far,
Jesus the Saviour is born!

2. Silent night! Holiest night!
Shepherds first tell the sight!
Spread the tidings o'er hill and plain,
Bethlehem wakes to hear the strain:
Jesus the Saviour is born.

Silent Night! Shadowy Night!
Marie Mason, ca. 1884

1. Silent night! shadowy night !
Purple dome, starry light !
Pouring splendor of centuries down,
Gold and purple, a glorious crown,
Where the manger so rude and wild
Cradles a sleeping child.

2. Silent night ! mystical night !
Kings and seers sought thy light,
Where the watch of the shepherds is kept,
Heavenly hosts through the stillness have swept.
Clear proclaiming a Saviour born !
Singing the Christmas morn !

3. Holy night, — heralding dawn !
Far and near breaks the morn !
Breaks the day when the Saviour of men.
Bringing pardon and healing again,
“Holy, harmless, and undefiled,"
Cometh, a little child !

Peaceful Night! All Things Sleep
Edward Thring, ca. 1887

1. Peaceful night! all things sleep,
Holy night! long watch keep
Still and wakeful the thrice bless'd pair.
Holy child with the clustering hair,
Slumber in heavenly peace,
Slumber in heavenly peace.

2. Holy night! stars above
Watch and wind sleepless in love,
O'er his cradle the glad vigils share.
Holy child with the clustering hair,
Slumber in heavenly peace
Slumber in heavenly peace.

3. Peaceful night! glory on high,
Peace on earth angels cry,
Softly listens the wondering air.
Holy child with the clustering hair,
Slumber in heavenly peace,
Slumber in heavenly peace.

Silent Night, Sacred Night
Translator Unknown (earliest pub. 1900)

1. Silent night, sacred night!
Bethlehem sleeps yet what light
Floats around the holy pair:
Songs of Angels fill the air
Strains of heavenly peace,
Strains of heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds first see the light,
Hear the Alleluias ring
Which the Angel chorus sing
"Christ the Saviour has come,
Christ the Saviour has come!"

3. Silent night, holy night.
Son of God! oh, what light
Radiates from Thy manger bed,
Over realms with darkness spread,
Thou in Bethlehem born.
Thou in Bethlehem born.

Silent Night! Holy Night!
Published by Moravian Church, 1902
Verse One: Unknown, 
Verse Two: Jane Montgomery Campbell, alt.
Verse Three: John Freeman Young

1. Silent night! Holy night!
Slumber reigns! Naught in sight!
Save that pair who lone vigil keep
O'er the Child Who, in softest sleep,
Rests in heavenly peace,
Rests in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night!
Darkness flies! All is light!
Shepherds listen while angels sing
Praise to God and good tidings bring,
“Jesus, the Saviour, is here!”
“Jesus, the Saviour, is here!”

3. Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Proverbs 10

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. 3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. 6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. 9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. 10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. 16 The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death. 17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. 18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. 19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. 22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it. 23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. 24 What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. 25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. 26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them. 27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. 29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. 30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. 31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced. 32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” 7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. 13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, 16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, 17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Call

1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; 16 by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. 22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,before his deeds of old; 23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. 32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” 5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. 6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.