Day 229 of 365

¹ O GOD, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

² The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

³ Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

⁴ We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

⁵ How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

⁶ Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

⁷ For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.

⁸ O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

¹⁰ Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.

¹¹ Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;

¹² And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

¹³ So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

¹ Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

² A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

³ A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

⁴ A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

⁶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

⁷ The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

⁸ A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

⁹ He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

¹⁰ A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

¹² The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

¹³ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴ A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

¹⁷ He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

¹⁸ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

¹⁹ The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

²¹ There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

²² Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

²³ A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

²⁴ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

²⁵ Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

²⁶ The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

²⁷ The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.