Luther Seminary

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Archives for February 26, 2005

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Proverbs 4:14-19 (NRSV)

Read Proverbs 4:14-19 on biblegateway.com

Verse 14Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
Verse 15Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
Verse 16For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
Verse 17For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
Verse 18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Verse 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.

Devotion

This text of Proverbs warns us that we are constantly surrounded by temptations to walk in the ways of darkness. We are counseled to be alert, to keep our eyes looking straight ahead, and to be attentive to the inclinations of our hearts with all vigilance. Being careful to listen to the wisdom and the word of the Lord, we will be enabled to seek the light, to honor the gifts we have been given, and to walk without stumbling into the dawn of a new day.

Prayer

Our guardian, keep us alert to those ways into which we might stray, to those ditches into which we might fall. Incline our hearts to your words of guidance and enable us to walk in ways that are filled with your light. Amen.

Terry Fretheim Professor of Old Testament