The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1 For this reason I, Paul, a aprisoner of Christ Jesus bon behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the cstewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the dmystery was made known to me by erevelation, fas I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 gwhich was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy hapostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 iThis mystery is1 that the Gentiles are jfellow heirs, kmembers of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a lminister according to the gift of mGod’s grace, which was given me nby the working of his power. 8 To me, othough I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and pto bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery qhidden for ages in2 God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God rmight now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the sheavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal tpurpose that uhe has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have vboldness and waccess with xconfidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to ylose heart over what I am suffering zfor you, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family3 in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the ariches of his glory he may grant you to be bstrengthened with power through his Spirit in your cinner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being drooted and egrounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and fheight and depth, 19 and to know the glove of Christ that hsurpasses knowledge, that iyou may be filled with all the jfullness of God.
20 kNow to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power lat work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
1 dBetter is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than eone who is fcrooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire1 without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the Lord.
4 gWealth brings many new friends,
hbut a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 iA jfalse witness will not go unpunished,
and he who kbreathes out lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,2
and leveryone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.3
8 Whoever mgets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
10 It is nnot fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 Good sense makes one oslow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 pA king’s wrath is qlike the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 rA foolish son is ruin to his father,
and sa wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 tSlothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.
17 uWhoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will vrepay him for his deed.
18 wDiscipline your son, for there is hope;
xdo not set your heart on putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept yinstruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 zMany are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and aa poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
24 bThe sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the csimple will learn prudence;
dreprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his efather and chases away his mother
is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear finstruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and gbeating for the backs of fools.
