Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 19-21

19Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

²It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

³A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord .

⁴Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him.

⁵A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

⁶Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

⁷A poor man is shunned by all his relatives- how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.

⁸He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.

⁹A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

¹⁰It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

¹¹A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

¹²A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

¹⁴Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord .

¹⁵Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

¹⁶He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

¹⁷He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord , and he will reward him for what he has done.

¹⁸Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

¹⁹A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

²⁰Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

²¹Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord ‘s purpose that prevails.

²²What a man desires is unfailing love ; better to be poor than a liar.

²³The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

²⁴The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

²⁵Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

²⁷Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

²⁹Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

20Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

²A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.

³It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

⁵The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

⁶Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

⁷The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

⁸When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?

¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures- the Lord detests them both.

¹¹Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

¹²Ears that hear and eyes that see- the Lord has made them both.

¹³Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

¹⁵Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

¹⁷Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

¹⁸Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

¹⁹A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

²⁰If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

²¹An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

²²Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord , and he will deliver you.

²³The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

²⁴A man’s steps are directed by the Lord . How then can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

²⁶A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man ; it searches out his inmost being.

²⁸Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

²⁹The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

³⁰Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

21The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord ; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

²All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.

³To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!

⁵The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

⁶A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

⁷The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.

⁸The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

⁹Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

¹⁰The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.

¹¹When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

¹²The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

¹³If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

¹⁴A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

¹⁵When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

¹⁶A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

¹⁷He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

¹⁸The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

²⁰In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

²¹He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

²²A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

²³He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

²⁴The proud and arrogant man-“Mocker” is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.

²⁵The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

²⁶All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable- how much more so when brought with evil intent!

²⁸A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.

²⁹A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.

³⁰There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord .

³¹The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord .

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 16-18

16To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

²All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord .

³Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

⁴The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

⁷When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord , he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

⁸Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

⁹In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

¹⁰The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.

¹¹Honest scales and balances are from the Lord ; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

¹²Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.

¹⁴A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

¹⁷The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord .

²¹The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

²²Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

²⁶The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

²⁷A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

³⁰He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

³²Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord .

17Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

²A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

³The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

⁴A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

⁵He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

⁶Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

⁷Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

⁸A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

⁹He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

¹⁰A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

¹¹An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.

¹²Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

¹³If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the Lord detests them both.

¹⁶Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

¹⁷A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

¹⁹He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.

²⁰A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

²¹To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.

²²A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.

²⁴A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

²⁶It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.

²⁷A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

²⁸Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

18An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.

²A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

³When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.

⁶A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.

⁹One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.

¹²Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

¹³He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame.

¹⁴A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

¹⁵The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

¹⁶A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

¹⁷The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

¹⁸Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

²⁰From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

²¹The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²²He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord .

²³A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.

²⁴A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 13-15

13A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

²From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

³He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

⁴The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

⁶Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

⁷One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

⁸A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.

⁹The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

¹⁰Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

¹¹Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.

¹⁴The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

¹⁵Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

¹⁶Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

¹⁷A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

¹⁸He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

¹⁹A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

²²A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

²³A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

²⁵The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

14The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

²He whose walk is upright fears the Lord , but he whose ways are devious despises him.

³A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

⁴Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

⁵A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

⁶The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

⁷Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

⁹Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

¹²There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

¹³Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

¹⁴The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.

¹⁵A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

¹⁶A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

¹⁷A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.

¹⁸The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

²¹He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

²²Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

²³All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.

²⁶He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

²⁸A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

²⁹A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

³⁰A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

³¹He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

³²When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

³³Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

³⁵A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

15A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

²The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

³The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

⁴The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

⁶The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.

⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

⁸The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

¹¹Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord – how much more the hearts of men!

¹²A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

¹³A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

¹⁴The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

¹⁷Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

¹⁹The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.

²²Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

²³A man finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word!

²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.

²⁵The Lord tears down the proud man’s house but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.

²⁶The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

²⁷A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

³¹He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

³²He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

³³The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 10-12

10The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

²Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

³The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

⁴Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

⁵He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

⁶Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

⁷The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

⁸The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

⁹The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

¹⁰He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

¹¹The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

¹²Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

¹³Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

¹⁴Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

¹⁵The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

¹⁶The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

¹⁷He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

¹⁸He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

¹⁹When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

²⁰The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

²¹The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

²²The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

²³A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

²⁴What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

²⁵When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

²⁶As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.

²⁷The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

²⁸The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

²⁹The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

³⁰The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

³¹The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

³²The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

11The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.

²When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

³The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

⁴Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

⁵The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

⁶The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

⁷When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.

⁸The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.

⁹With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

¹⁰When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

¹¹Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

¹²A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

¹³A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

¹⁴For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

¹⁵He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.

¹⁶A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

¹⁸The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

¹⁹The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.

²⁰The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

²¹Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

²²Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

²³The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

²⁴One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

²⁶People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

²⁷He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

²⁸Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

²⁹He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

³¹If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

²A good man obtains favor from the Lord , but the Lord condemns a crafty man.

³A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

⁴A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

⁵The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

⁷Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

⁸A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised.

⁹Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

¹⁰A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

¹²The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

¹³An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.

¹⁴From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

¹⁵The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

¹⁶A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

¹⁷A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.

¹⁸Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.

²¹No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²²The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

²³A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

²⁴Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

²⁵An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

²⁶A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

²⁸In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 7-9

7My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

²Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

³Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman;

⁵they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

⁶At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.

⁷I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.

⁸He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house

⁹at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

¹⁰Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

¹¹(She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;

¹²now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)

¹³She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:

¹⁴“I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.

¹⁵So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!

¹⁶I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.

¹⁷I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

¹⁸Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

¹⁹My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

²⁰He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”

²¹With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

²²All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose

²³till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

²⁴Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

²⁵Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.

²⁶Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.

²⁷Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

8Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

²On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

³beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:

⁴“To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

⁵You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

⁶Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

⁷My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

⁸All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

⁹To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

¹⁰Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

¹¹for 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.

¹³To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

¹⁴Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

¹⁵By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;

¹⁶by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.

¹⁷I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

¹⁸With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

¹⁹My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

²¹bestowing wealth 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;

²³I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

²⁴When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

²⁵before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

²⁶before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

²⁷I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

²⁸when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

²⁹when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

³⁰Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

³¹rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

³²“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

³³Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

³⁴Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

³⁵For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord .

³⁶But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

9Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.

²She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

³She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.

⁴“Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.

⁵“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

⁶Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

⁷“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

⁸Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

⁹Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

¹⁰“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

¹¹For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

¹²If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”

¹³The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

¹⁴She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

¹⁵calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.

¹⁶“Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.

¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”

¹⁸But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 4-6

4Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

²I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

³When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

⁴he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

⁵Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

⁶Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

⁷Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

⁸Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

⁹She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”

¹⁰Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

¹¹I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

¹²When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

¹³Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

¹⁴Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.

¹⁵Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

¹⁶For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

¹⁷They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

¹⁹But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

²¹Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

²²for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

²³Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

²⁴Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

²⁶Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

²⁷Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

5My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight,

²that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

³For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

⁴but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

⁵Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

⁶She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

⁷Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

⁸Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,

⁹lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel,

¹⁰lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man’s house.

¹¹At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

¹²You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

¹³I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.

¹⁴I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”

¹⁵Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

¹⁶Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

¹⁷Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

¹⁸May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

¹⁹A loving doe, a graceful deer- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.

²⁰Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?

²¹For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord , and he examines all his paths.

²²The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.

²³He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

6My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,

²if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

³then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!

⁴Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.

⁵Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

⁶Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

⁷It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

⁸yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

⁹How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

¹⁰A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-

¹¹and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

¹²A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,

¹³who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,

¹⁴who plots evil with deceit in his heart- he always stirs up dissension.

¹⁵Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.

¹⁶There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

¹⁷haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

¹⁹a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

²⁰My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

²¹Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.

²²When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

²³For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

²⁴keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.

²⁵Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,

²⁶for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

²⁷Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?

²⁸Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?

²⁹So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

³⁰Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

³¹Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

³²But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

³³Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away;

³⁴for jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

³⁵He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Proverbs 1-3

1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

²for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

³for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;

⁴for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-

⁵let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-

⁶for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

⁸Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

⁹They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

¹¹If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul;

¹²let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

¹³we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;

¹⁴throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse”-

¹⁵my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

¹⁶for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.

¹⁷How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!

¹⁸These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!

¹⁹Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

²⁰Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;

²¹at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

²²“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

²³If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

²⁴But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

²⁵since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

²⁶I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

²⁷when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

²⁸“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.

²⁹Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord ,

³⁰since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

³¹they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

³²For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

³³but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

2My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

²turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

³and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

⁴and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

⁵then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

⁶For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

⁷He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

⁸for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

⁹Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path.

¹⁰For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

¹¹Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

¹²Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

¹³who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

¹⁴who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

¹⁵whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

¹⁶It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,

¹⁷who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.

¹⁸For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

¹⁹None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

²⁰Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.

²¹For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

²²but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

3My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

²for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

³Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

⁸This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

⁹Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

¹⁰then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹My son, do not despise the Lord ‘s discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

¹²because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

¹³Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

¹⁹By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

²⁰by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

²²they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

²³Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;

²⁴when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

²⁶for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

²⁷Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”- when you now have it with you.

²⁹Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

³⁰Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm.

³¹Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,

³²for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.

³³The Lord ‘s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

³⁵The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Song of Solomon 1-8

1Solomon’s Song of Songs.

²Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- for your love is more delightful than wine.

³Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you!

⁴Take me away with you-let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. We rejoice and delight in you ; we will praise your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!

⁵Dark am I, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.

⁶Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected.

⁷Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?

⁸If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.

⁹I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.

¹⁰Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels.

¹¹We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.

¹²While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

¹³My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

¹⁴My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.

¹⁵How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.

¹⁶How handsome you are, my lover! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant.

¹⁷The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.

2I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

²Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.

³Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

⁴He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.

⁵Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.

⁶His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

⁷Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

⁸Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.

⁹My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.

¹⁰My lover spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.

¹¹See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

¹²Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

¹³The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

¹⁴My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

¹⁵Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

¹⁶My lover is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies.

¹⁷Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.

3All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him.

²I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him.

³The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”

⁴Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.

⁵Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

⁶Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?

⁷Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel,

⁸all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.

⁹King Solomon made for himself the carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon.

¹⁰Its posts he made of silver, its base of gold. Its seat was upholstered with purple, its interior lovingly inlaid by the daughters of Jerusalem.

¹¹Come out, you daughters of Zion, and look at King Solomon wearing the crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.

4How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead.

²Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin; not one of them is alone.

³Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate.

⁴Your neck is like the tower of David, built with elegance ; on it hang a thousand shields, all of them shields of warriors.

⁵Your two breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies.

⁶Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of incense.

⁷All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

⁸Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon. Descend from the crest of Amana, from the top of Senir, the summit of Hermon, from the lions’ dens and the mountain haunts of the leopards.

⁹You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

¹⁰How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

¹¹Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon.

¹²You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

¹³Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard,

¹⁴nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices.

¹⁵You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.

¹⁶Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.

5I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk. Eat, O friends, and drink; drink your fill, O lovers.

²I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³I have taken off my robe- must I put it on again? I have washed my feet- must I soil them again?

⁴My lover thrust his hand through the latch-opening; my heart began to pound for him.

⁵I arose to open for my lover, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

⁶I opened for my lover, but my lover had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.

⁷The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen of the walls!

⁸O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you- if you find my lover, what will you tell him? Tell him I am faint with love.

⁹How is your beloved better than others, most beautiful of women? How is your beloved better than others, that you charge us so?

¹⁰My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.

¹¹His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.

¹²His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels.

¹³His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh.

¹⁴His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires.

¹⁵His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars.

¹⁶His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

6Where has your lover gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did your lover turn, that we may look for him with you?

²My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies.

³I am my lover’s and my lover is mine; he browses among the lilies.

⁴You are beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, majestic as troops with banners.

⁵Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead.

⁶Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing. Each has its twin, not one of them is alone.

⁷Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate.

⁸Sixty queens there may be, and eighty concubines, and virgins beyond number;

⁹but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her.

¹⁰Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?

¹¹I went down to the grove of nut trees to look at the new growth in the valley, to see if the vines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom.

¹²Before I realized it, my desire set me among the royal chariots of my people.

¹³Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you! Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim?

7How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of a craftsman’s hands.

²Your navel is a rounded goblet that never lacks blended wine. Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies.

³Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.

⁴Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus.

⁵Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel. Your hair is like royal tapestry; the king is held captive by its tresses.

⁶How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!

⁷Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit.

⁸I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples,

⁹and your mouth like the best wine. May the wine go straight to my lover, flowing gently over lips and teeth.

¹⁰I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me.

¹¹Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages.

¹²Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom- there I will give you my love.

¹³The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my lover.

8If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.

²I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house- she who has taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

³His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.

⁴Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

⁵Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labor gave you birth.

⁶Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

⁷Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

⁸We have a young sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for?

⁹If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

¹⁰I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment.

¹¹Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels of silver.

¹²But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

¹³You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

¹⁴Come away, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…

Psalm 119:89-176

⁸⁹Your word, O Lord , is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

⁹¹Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹²If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

⁹⁴Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.

⁹⁶To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

⁹⁸Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.

⁹⁹I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

¹⁰⁰I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

¹⁰¹I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

¹⁰²I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

¹⁰⁷I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord , according to your word.

¹⁰⁸Accept, O Lord , the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

¹⁰⁹Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

¹¹¹Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

¹¹³I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

¹¹⁴You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

¹¹⁵Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!

¹¹⁶Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

¹¹⁷Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

¹¹⁸You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain.

¹¹⁹All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

¹²¹I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Ensure your servant’s well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.

¹²³My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.

¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.

¹²⁵I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.

¹²⁶It is time for you to act, O Lord ; your law is being broken.

¹²⁷Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,

¹²⁸and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

¹²⁹Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.

¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

¹³¹I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

¹³²Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

¹³³Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

¹³⁴Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts.

¹³⁵Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.

¹³⁶Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

¹³⁷Righteous are you, O Lord , and your laws are right.

¹³⁸The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.

¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

¹⁴¹Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.

¹⁴²Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.

¹⁴³Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.

¹⁴⁴Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁵I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord , and I will obey your decrees.

¹⁴⁶I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.

¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

¹⁴⁸My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

¹⁴⁹Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O Lord , according to your laws.

¹⁵⁰Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.

¹⁵¹Yet you are near, O Lord , and all your commands are true.

¹⁵²Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

¹⁵³Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.

¹⁵⁴Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.

¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.

¹⁵⁶Your compassion is great, O Lord ; preserve my life according to your laws.

¹⁵⁷Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.

¹⁵⁸I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.

¹⁵⁹See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O Lord , according to your love.

¹⁶⁰All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

¹⁶¹Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.

¹⁶²I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

¹⁶⁵Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

¹⁶⁶I wait for your salvation, O Lord , and I follow your commands.

¹⁶⁷I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.

¹⁶⁸I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

¹⁶⁹May my cry come before you, O Lord ; give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.

¹⁷¹May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.

¹⁷²May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.

¹⁷³May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, O Lord , and your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.

¹⁷⁶I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Welcome to the 2023 King Street Church Bible Reading Plan.  This year we will be following a chronological plan.

In your personal journal, consider answering these questions as part of your devotional time:

 

In this passage…