Scripture Readings

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Proverbs 6:3-20 (Vespers, 2nd reading)

3
So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; plead with your friend.
4
Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.
5
Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
7
which, having no captain, overseer or ruler,
8
provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
9
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
10
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep –
11
so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.
12
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth;
13
he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers;
14
perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord.
15
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
16
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17
A proud look, a lying tongue,
18
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19
a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
20
My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother.