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Some of these proverbs paint a humorous picture, but the message is serious: Don’t be a fool.

BibleGateway: Proverbs 26:1-12

ESV Text: Proverbs 26:1-12


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:25

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     1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

     2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

     3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

     4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

     6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

     10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

     11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

     12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 279 (LSB 915):
Today Thy Mercy Calls Us

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. Today Thy mercy calls us 
To wash away our sin. 
However great our trespass, 
Whatever we have been, 
However long from mercy 
Our hearts have turned away, 
Thy precious blood can cleanse us 
And make us white today. 

2. Today Thy gate is open, 
And all who enter in 
Shall find a Father’s welcome 
And pardon for their sin. 
The past shall be forgotten, 
A present joy be given, 
A future grace be promised, 
A glorious crown in heaven. 

3. Today our Father calls us, 
His Holy Spirit waits; 
His blessed angels gather 
Around the heavenly gates. 
No question will be asked us 
How often we have come; 
Although we oft have wandered, 
It is our Father’s home. 

4. O all-embracing Mercy, 
O ever-open Door, 
What should we do without Thee 
When heart and eye run o’er? 
When all things seem against us, 
To drive us to despair, 
We know one gate is open, 
One ear will hear our prayer.