Monday, June 23, 2008

Righteousness

Two Ways to Live

Psalm 1

1Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked,

who don’t go where sinners go,

who don’t do what evil people do.

2They love the LORD’S teachings,

and they think about those teachings day and night.

3They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.

The tree produces fruit in season,

and its leaves don’t die.

Everything they do will succeed.

4But wicked people are not like that.

They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5So the wicked will not escape God’s punishment.

Sinners will not worship with God’s people.

6This is because the LORD takes care of his people,

but the wicked will be destroyed.

Title: The Holy Bible, New Century Version

What the Lord Demands

Psalm 15

A PSALM OF DAVID.

1LORD, who may enter your Holy Tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain?

2Only those who are innocent

and who do what is right.

Such people speak the truth from their hearts

3and do not tell lies about others.

They do no wrong to their neighbors

and do not gossip.

4They do not respect hateful people

but honor those who honor the LORD.

They keep their promises to their neighbors,

even when it hurts.

5They do not charge interest on money they lend

and do not take money to hurt innocent people.

Whoever does all these things will never be destroyed.

Title: The Holy Bible, New Century Version

Honest People Are Blessed

Psalm 112

1Praise the LORD!

Happy are those who respect the LORD,

who want what he commands.

2Their descendants will be powerful in the land;

the children of honest people will be blessed.

3Their houses will be full of wealth and riches,

and their goodness will continue forever.

4A light shines in the dark for honest people,

for those who are merciful and kind and good.

5It is good to be merciful and generous.

Those who are fair in their business

6will never be defeated.

Good people will always be remembered.

7They won’t be afraid of bad news;

their hearts are steady because they trust the LORD.

8They are confident and will not be afraid;

they will look down on their enemies.

9They give freely to the poor.

The things they do are right and will continue forever.

They will be given great honor.

10The wicked will see this and become angry;

they will grind their teeth in anger and then disappear.

The wishes of the wicked will come to nothing.

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