Monday, 13 May

25.   Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 26.   "Count up the plunder that was taken––of man and beast––you and Eleazar the priest and the chief fathers of the congregation; 27.   "and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. 28.   "And levy a tribute for the LORD on the men of war who went out to battle: one of every five hundred of the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep; 29.   "take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest as a heave offering to the LORD. 30.   "And from the children of Israel’s half you shall take one of every fifty, drawn from the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep, from all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD." 31.   So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 32.   The booty remaining from the plunder, which the men of war had taken, was six hundred and seventy–five thousand sheep, 33.   seventy–two thousand cattle, 34.   sixty–one thousand donkeys, 35.   and thirty–two thousand persons in all, of women who had not known a man intimately. 36.   And the half, the portion for those who had gone out to war, was in number three hundred and thirty–seven thousand five hundred sheep; 37.   and the LORD’S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and seventy–five. 38.   The cattle were thirty–six thousand, of which the LORD’S tribute was seventy–two. 39.   The donkeys were thirty thousand five hundred, of which the LORD’S tribute was sixty–one. 40.   The persons were sixteen thousand, of which the LORD’S tribute was thirty–two persons. 41.   So Moses gave the tribute which was the LORD’S heave offering to Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses. 42.   And from the children of Israel’s half, which Moses separated from the men who fought–– 43.   now the half belonging to the congregation was three hundred and thirty–seven thousand five hundred sheep, 44.   thirty–six thousand cattle, 45.   thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, 46.   and sixteen thousand persons–– 47.   and from the children of Israel’s half Moses took one of every fifty, drawn from man and beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses. 48.   Then the officers who were over thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, came near to Moses; 49.   and they said to Moses, "Your servants have taken a count of the men of war who are under our command, and not a man of us is missing. 50.   "Therefore we have brought an offering for the LORD, what every man found of ornaments of gold: armlets and bracelets and signet rings and earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD." 51.   So Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from them, all the fashioned ornaments. 52.   And all the gold of the offering that they offered to the LORD, from the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. 53.   (The men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.) 54.   And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of meeting as a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

1.   The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 2.   He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. 3.   In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4.   Where no oxen are , the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. 5.   A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. 6.   A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it , But knowledge is easy to him who understands. 7.   Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. 8.   The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. 9.   Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. 10.   The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. 11.   The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12.   There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13.   Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14.   The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15.   The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16.   A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self–confident. 17.   A quick–tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. 18.   The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19.   The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20.   The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. 21.   He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22.   Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. 23.   In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. 24.   The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. 25.   A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. 26.   In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. 27.   The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. 28.   In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. 29.   He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. 30.   A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. 31.   He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. 32.   The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. 33.   Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. 34.   Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. 35.   The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

1.   Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2.   On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3.   And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4.   But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. 5.   Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6.   And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7.   For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8.   But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9.   For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10.   Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do . 11.   Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. 12.   Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. 13.   Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14.   Let all that you do be done with love. 15.   I urge you, brethren––you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints–– 16.   that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us . 17.   I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18.   For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 19.   The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20.   All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21.   The salutation with my own hand––Paul’s. 22.   If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 23.   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24.   My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.