1Love righteousness, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in sincerity of heart.
2For he is found by those who do not test him, and he reveals himself to those who do not distrust him.
3For crooked thoughts separate from God, and his power, when tested, convicts the foolish.
4Because wisdom will not enter a soul that devises evil, nor will she dwell in a body that is a slave to sin.
5For a holy spirit of instruction will flee from deceit, will depart from senseless thoughts, and will be driven away when unrighteousness approaches.
6For wisdom is a spirit that loves humanity, and she will not acquit a blasphemer for the words of his lips; because God is a witness of his inmost thoughts, a true overseer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
7Because the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together has knowledge of every sound.
8Therefore no one who utters unrighteous things will escape notice, nor will convicting justice pass him by.
9For there will be an examination of the counsels of the ungodly, and a report of his words will come to the Lord for the conviction of his lawless deeds.
10Because a jealous ear hears all things, and the whisper of grumblings is not hidden.
11Therefore guard yourselves from useless grumbling, and refrain your tongue from slander; because no secret utterance will go unpunished, and a lying mouth destroys a soul.
12Do not court death by the error of your life, nor bring destruction upon yourselves by the works of your hands.
13For God did not make death, nor does he delight in the destruction of the living.
14For he created all things to exist, and the creatures of the world are wholesome; there is no poison of destruction in them, nor is the kingdom of Hades on earth.
15For righteousness is immortal.
16But the ungodly summoned him with their hands and words; considering him a friend, they pined for him, and they made a covenant with him, because they are worthy to belong to his party.
Open in the interactive reader →