Now concerning the  ¹collection for the saints,  ²just as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also do.

On the  ¹first day of the week each one of you should lay aside in store to himself whatever he may have been prospered, that no collections be made when I come.

And when I arrive, whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to carry your  ¹gift to Jerusalem;

And if it is fitting for me also to go, they will go with me.

Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia, for I will pass through Macedonia.

And perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me forward wherever I may go.

For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, for I am hoping to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.

But I will remain in  ¹Ephesus until Pentecost,

For a door is opened to me, great and efficacious, and there are many opposers.

Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; for he is working the work of the Lord, even as I am.

Let no one therefore despise him, but send him forward in peace that he may come to me; for I am awaiting him with the brothers.

And  ¹concerning our brother Apollos,  ²I urged him many times to come to you with the brothers; yet it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Watch,  ¹stand firm in the  ²faith, be  ³full-grown men, be strong.

Let all your matters be done in  ¹love.

Now I exhort you, brothers: You know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and they have set themselves to minister to the saints;

You also be subject to such ones, and to everyone co-working and laboring.

Now I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because these have filled up the lack caused by your absence;

For they  ¹refreshed my  ²spirit and yours. Acknowledge therefore such ones.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you much in the Lord, with the  ¹church, which is in their house.

All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 ¹The greeting in my own hand — Paul.

If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be  ¹accursed!  ²The Lord comes!

The  ¹grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

My  ¹love in Christ Jesus be with you all.

Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?

On the top of the heights, by the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries aloud:

To you, O men, I call;
And my voice is to the sons of men.

O simple ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, be of an understanding heart.

Hear, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will yield right things.

For my mouth will utter truth,
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

They are all straight to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not silver;
And knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than corals,
And nothing that you desire compares with her.

 ¹I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.

The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth, I hate.

Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding; I have might.

By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.

By me princes rule,
And nobles — all who judge righteously.

I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
And my yield than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,

That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance
And that I may fill their treasuries.

Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.

I was set up from eternity,
From the beginning, before the earth was.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;

When He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.

When He established the heavens, I was there;
When He inscribed a circle upon the surface of the deep,

When He made firm the skies above,
When the fountains of the deep became strong,

When He set for the sea its boundary,
That the waters should not transgress His commandment,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

Then I was by Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

Rejoicing in His habitable earth;
And my delight was in the sons of men.

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me;
For blessed are they who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise;
And do not neglect it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my doors,
Waiting at my doorposts.

For whoever finds me finds life,
And will obtain favor from Jehovah.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All who hate me love death.

Wisdom has built her house;
She has hewn out her seven pillars;

She has slaughtered her beasts;
She has mingled her wine;
She has also set her table;

She has sent forth her maidens;
She calls from the highest places of the city:

Whoever is simple, let him turn in here;
As for him who lacks sense, she says to him,

Come, eat of my bread,
And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Forsake foolishness, and live,
And walk in the way of understanding.

He who corrects a scorner gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man blemishes himself.

Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you;
Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Impart something to a wise man, and he will become wiser still;
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by me your days will be multiplied,
And the years of your life will be increased.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
And if you are scornful, you alone will bear it.

The woman Foolishness is rowdy;
She is simple and knows nothing.

And she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat in the heights of the city,

To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their ways:

Whoever is simple, let him turn in here;
And as for him who lacks sense, she says to him,

Stolen waters are sweet,
And bread gotten in secret is pleasant.

But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.