Moral Virtues Recommended in the Torah

Humility: Avoiding Pride and Arrogance

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the Prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. (2 Chronicles, 36:12)

A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (Psalms, 37:10-11)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs, 11:2)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs, 16:18)

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. (Proverbs, 22:4)

... He [God] looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar. (Psalms, 138:6)

The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs, 15:33)

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word. (Isaiah, 66:2)

He [God] has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah, 6:8)

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. (Ezekiel, 28:5)

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. (Ezekiel, 28:17)

But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. (Daniel, 5:20)

When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot Me. (Hosea, 13:6)

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, "Who can bring me down to the ground?" Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord. (Obadiah, 1:3-4)

This is what the Sovereign Lord says:... It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. (Ezekiel, 21:26)

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered... (Zephaniah, 2:3)

... He crowns the humble with salvation. (Psalms, 149:4)

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. (Psalms, 18:27)

Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken. (Jeremiah, 13:15)

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. (Psalms, 25:9)

He [Lord] mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs, 3:34)

This is what the Lord... says: "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?" (Exodus, 10:3)

Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. (Numbers, 12:3)

You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. (2 Samuel, 22:28)

He went around meekly... he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day... (1 Kings, 21:27-29)

If... [they] humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then... I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles, 7:14)

When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came... : "Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them... " (2 Chronicles, 12:7)

But... (he) was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him... Then (he) repented of the pride of his heart... therefore the Lord's wrath did not come upon them. (2 Chronicles, 32:25-26)

... He humbled himself greatly before God... (2 Chronicles, 33:12)

I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. (Ezra, 8:21)

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. (Psalms, 35:13-14)

... A contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalms, 51:17)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to belowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. (Proverbs, 16:18-20)

Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs, 18:12)

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. (Proverbs, 29:22-23)

For this is what the high and lofty One says, He Who lives forever, Whose name is holy: "I am with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly." (Isaiah, 57:15)

"And I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. (Malachi, 2:16)

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs, 6:16-19)

Because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again you will be haughty... But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah, 3:11-12)

To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs, 8:13)

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs, 13:10)

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to Heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. (Psalms, 73:4-9)

The Lord tears down the proud man's house... He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Proverbs, 15:25, 31)

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! (Proverbs, 21:4)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes, 7:8)

The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. (Isaiah, 2:12-13)

I will punish... for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. (Isaiah, 10:12)

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah, 13:11)

But after... became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. (2 Chronicles, 26:16)

But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey Your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles You performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. (Nehemiah, 9:16-17)

He may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, to preserve his soul from the pit [Hell], his life from perishing by the sword. (Job, 33:16-18)

... Men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. (Job, 35:12)

He tells them what they have done that they have sinned arrogantly. He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. (Job, 36:9-12)

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart... In his pride the wicked does not seek Him... His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and Your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. (Psalms, 10:2-5)

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. (Psalms, 40:4)

He rules forever by His power... the nations let not the rebellious rise up against Him. (Psalms, 66:7)

"We have heard of his pride and arrogance and the haughtiness of his heart. I know his insolence but it is futile," declares the Lord, "and his boasts accomplish nothing." (Jeremiah, 48:29-30)

I will put an end to the pride of the mighty... When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none. (Ezekiel, 7:24-25)

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy... You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices," declares the Lord. (Ezekiel, 16:49, 58)

In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." [God is beyond this.] But you are a man and not a god... (Ezekiel, 28:2)

His arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for Him. (Hosea, 7:10)

You warned them to return to Your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed Your commands. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on You, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. (Nehemiah, 9:29)

To the arrogant I say, "Boast no more," and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns... do not speak with outstretched neck." No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God Who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another. (Psalms, 75:4-7)

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. (Psalms, 101:5)

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty... (Psalms, 131:1)

The proud and arrogant man—"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. (Proverbs, 21:24)

Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God Who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed. (1 Samuel, 2:3)

Overcoming Anger

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. (Ecclesiastes, 7:9)

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. (Proverbs, 14:29)

A quick-tempered man does foolish things... (Proverbs, 14:17)

If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. (Ecclesiastes, 10:4)

A gift given in secret soothes anger. (Proverbs, 21:14)

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. (Proverbs, 29:8-9)

An angry man stirs up dissension and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (Proverbs, 29:22)

... Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. (Psalms, 37:7-9)

For as churning the milk produces butter... so stirring up anger produces strife. (Proverbs, 30:33)

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs, 22:24-25)

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming... (Proverbs, 27:4)

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs, 12:16)

Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! (Genesis, 49:6-7)

Do not fret because of evil men... (Psalms, 37:1)

Forgiveness

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. (Proverbs, 10:12)

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs, 19:11)

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Proverbs, 17:9)

Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." (Proverbs, 24:29)

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. (Proverbs, 16:6)

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus, 19:18)

Compassion and Affection

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs, 14:21)

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs, 14:31)

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs, 25:21-22)

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. (Deuteronomy, 15:7)

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalms, 82:3-4)

This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." (Zechariah, 7:9-10)

[A virtuous wife] opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (Proverbs, 31:20)

If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless—but from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow—if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment, and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. (Job, 31:16-23)

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. (Psalms, 41:1)

A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. (Proverbs, 28:3)

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (Proverbs, 28:27)

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. (Proverbs, 21:13)

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs, 22:9)

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. (Isaiah, 58:7-8)

... And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah, 58:10-11)

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge... When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (Deuteronomy, 24:17-21)

... You shall give it to... the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the Lord your God: "I have given it to... the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all You commanded. I have not turned aside from Your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. (Deuteronomy, 26:12-13)

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah, 1:17)

Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road... Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow. Then all the people shall say, "Amen." (Deuteronomy, 27:18-19)

You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. (Ezekiel, 34:4)

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place... then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. (Jeremiah, 7:5-7)

Woe to those who make unjust laws... to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. (Isaiah, 10:1-2)

"Now this was the sin... She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (Ezekiel, 16:49-50)

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captive. (Psalms, 106:46)

And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man... (Genesis, 43:14)

... [A man who] gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. (Ezekiel, 18:7)

They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. (Jeremiah, 5:28)

The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. (Ezekiel, 22:29)

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens. (Deuteronomy, 10:18-19)

Do not rule over them with rigor, but fear your God. (Leviticus, 25:43)

Ruling with Justice and Defending the Truth

This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." (Zechariah, 7:9)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah, 6:8)

For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In My faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. (Isaiah, 61:8)

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (Proverbs, 29:7)

If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure. (Proverbs, 29:14)

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him. (Genesis, 18:19)

He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman. (Psalms, 15:2-3)

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. (Psalms, 33:5)

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (Psalms, 37:30-31)

He [the king] will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy... (Psalms, 72:2-4)

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. (Psalms, 106:3)

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. (Psalms, 112:5-6)

He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. (Proverbs, 2:8-9)

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. (Proverbs, 28:5)

The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. (Proverbs, 12:5)

The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice... Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. (Proverbs, 16:10-13)

A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. (Proverbs, 17:23)

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs, 21:3)

The righteous one takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. (Proverbs, 21:12)

By justice a king gives a country stability... If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure. (Proverbs, 29:4, 14)

Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice. The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright. (Proverbs, 29:26-27)

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs, 31:9)

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah, 1:17)

This is what the Lord says: "Maintain justice and do what is right... " (Isaiah, 56:1)

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly... (Jeremiah, 7:5)

"... but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, Who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah, 9:24)

... What the Lord says: "Execute justice in the morning, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor..." (Jeremiah, 21:12)

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. (Jeremiah, 22:3)

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. (Leviticus, 19:15)

... Judge fairly... do not show partiality in judging, hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man... (Deuteronomy, 1:16-17)

... A king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. (Jeremiah, 23:5)

But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. (Ezekiel, 18:27)

And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so. (Ezekiel, 33:19)

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "You have gone far enough... Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right." (Ezekiel, 45:9)

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice... (Hosea, 12:6)

... Maintain justice in the courts... (Amos, 5:15)

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream. (Amos, 5:24)

These are the things you are to do: "Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the Lord. (Zechariah, 8:16-17)

"Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd... Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." (Exodus, 23:1-8)

... [If a man] judges fairly between man and man... (Ezekiel, 18:8)

... Should you not know justice?... But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might. Hear this, you leaders... who despise justice and distort all that is right. (Micah, 3:1, 8-9)

No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. (Isaiah, 59:4)

The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows... We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. (Isaiah, 59:8-9, 11)

Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. (Deuteronomy, 16:18-19)

... God... has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness. (1 Kings, 10:9)

... David reigned... and he executed justice and righteousness unto all his people. (1 Chronicles, 18:14)

Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times. (Esther, 1:13)

I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. (Job, 29:14-16)

It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. (Job, 32:9)

... You have asked for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked... (1 Kings, 3:11-12)

But with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah, 11:4-5)

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it... one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. (Isaiah, 16: 5)

See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice... Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah, 32:1, 16-17)

Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom I delight; I will put My Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. (Isaiah, 42:1-5)

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. (Isaiah, 10:1-2)

Go up and down the streets... look around and consider... If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. (Jeremiah, 5:1)

Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. (Psalms, 58:1-2)

So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be"... They held the king in awe, because they saw that he [Solomon] had wisdom from God to administer justice. (1 Kings, 3:11-12, 28)

Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. (Psalms, 94:15)

The king is mighty, he loves justice—you have established equity... You have done what is just and right. (Psalms, 99:4)

For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. (Proverbs, 1:3-4)

It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice. (Proverbs, 18:5)

A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. (Proverbs, 19:28)

"Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin... Keep all My decrees and all My laws and follow them. I am the Lord." (Leviticus, 19:35-37)

Helping Others

If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it. (Exodus, 23:5)

If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. (Leviticus, 25:35)

Do the same if you find your brother's donkey or his cloak or anything he loses. Do not ignore it. If you see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help him get it to its feet. (Deuteronomy, 22:3-4)

But let your hand be open to give him the use of whatever he is in need of... You do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy, 15:8-11)

Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. (Job, 29:12-16)

For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. (Psalms, 22:24)

Each helps the other and says to his brother, "Be strong!" (Isaiah, 41:6)

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear... (Isaiah, 58:7-8)

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. (Ezekiel, 16:49)

Day after day men came to help David... (1 Chronicles, 12:22)

Doing Good and Turning from Evil

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms, 34:14)

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other. (Zechariah, 7:10)

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is. (Amos, 5:14)

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. (Psalms, 37:27)

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs, 3:7-8)

He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs, 11:27, 30)

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. (Proverbs, 14:22)

Hate evil, love good... (Amos, 5:15)

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. (Proverbs, 14:16)

An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. (Psalms, 36:1-4)

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psalms, 37:3)

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers... Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers. (Psalms, 141:4-5)

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs, 19:17)

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. (Isaiah, 3:10-11)

Therefore, O King, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue. (Daniel, 4:27)

... Your sins have deprived you of good. Among My people are wicked men... Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. (Jeremiah, 5:25-28)

Truthfulness and Honesty

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy, 16:20)

He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. (Proverbs, 2:7)

For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. (Psalms, 5:12)

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs, 10:9)

Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs, 15:21)

The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. (Proverbs, 16:17)

The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. (Proverbs, 10:29-30)

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs, 11:3-4)

The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. (Proverbs, 11:5)

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. (Proverbs, 11:6)

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. (Proverbs, 13:6)

The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. (Proverbs, 11:8)

The Lord detests men of perverse heart but He delights in those whose ways are blameless. (Proverbs, 11:20)

But with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth... (Isaiah, 11:4)

The path of the righteous is level... (Isaiah, 26:7)

Let the Lord judge the peoples. Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. (Psalms, 7:8)

Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. (Proverbs, 14:9)

Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. (Proverbs, 2:20-22)

I will be careful to lead a blameless life... (Psalms, 101:2)

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. (Proverbs, 20:7)

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace... (Isaiah, 57:2)

... Not one upright man remains... Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of their confusion. (Micah, 7:2-4)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalms, 84:11)

... He who is walking in the right way will be My servant. (Psalms, 101:6)

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. (Psalms, 112:4)

Surely the righteous will praise Your name and the upright will live before /ou. (Psalms, 140:13)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. (Proverbs, 19:1)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. (Proverbs, 28:6)

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus, 18:21)

... Even in a land of uprightness they [the wicked] go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord. (Isaiah, 26:10)

O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. (Psalms, 26:1)

In whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. (Psalms, 26:10-11)

They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. (2 Kings, 12:15)

... Because he was faithful to You and righteous and upright in heart... (1 Kings, 3:6)

... As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable... (1 Samuel, 29:6)

Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright... (Proverbs, 29:10)

The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright. (Proverbs, 29:27)

Patience

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalms, 37:7)

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalms, 40:1)

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (Proverbs, 15:18)

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. (Proverbs, 16:32)

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs, 19:11)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes, 7:8)

A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (Proverbs, 18:14)

Loyalty

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs, 3:3-4)

They would not be like their forefathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him. (Psalms, 78:8)

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. (Proverbs, 20:28)

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from Heaven. (Psalms, 85:10-11)

... For they were faithful in consecrating themselves. (2 Chronicles, 31:18)

For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (Proverbs, 2:8)

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant. (Psalms, 25:10)

To the faithful you show yourself faithful... (Psalms, 18:25)

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land... (Psalms, 101:6)

Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah, 11:5)

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy faithfulness. (Psalms, 37:3)

I have chosen the way of faithfulness... (Psalms, 119:30)

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it... one who in judging seeks justice... (Isaiah, 16:5)

... In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth... (Isaiah, 42:3-4)

Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. (Psalms, 12:1-2)

Because You will not abandon me to the underworld [Hell], nor will you let Your faithful one see decay. (Psalms, 16:10)

Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. (Psalms, 31:23)

For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off. (Psalms, 37:28)

Their hearts were not loyal to Him; they were not faithful to His covenant. (Psalms, 78:37)

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones... (Psalms, 97:10)

May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may Your saints sing for joy... I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy. (Psalms, 132:9, 16)

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs, 20:6)

"Son of man, if a country sins against Me by being unfaithful and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals... (Ezekiel, 14:13)

"I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful," declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel, 15:8)

... The Lord said: "I will ... execute judgment upon him there because he was unfaithful to Me." (Ezekiel, 17:19-20)

"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. (Ezekiel, 18:24)

"Lord, You are righteous... in all the countries where You have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to You. (Daniel, 9:7)

... There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. (Hosea, 4:1-2)

See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith. (Habakkuk, 2:4)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah, 6:8)

Avoiding Despotism

Wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. (Job, 15:20)

But God drags away the mighty by His power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. (Job, 24:22)

The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. (Psalms, 7:16)

The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. (Psalms, 11:5)

Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. (Psalms, 62:10)

From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. (Proverbs, 13:2)

A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. (Proverbs, 16:29)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. (Proverbs, 21:7)

... Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. (Isaiah, 59:6-8)

He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil- this is the man who will dwell on the heights... His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (Isaiah, 33:15-16)

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "You have gone far enough... Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right..." declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel, 45:9)

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. (Jonah, 3:8)

Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will lay their hands on their mouths and their ears will become deaf. (Micah, 7:16)

... "And I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. (Malachi, 2:16)

"They do not know how to do right," declares the Lord, "who hoard plunder and loot in their fortresses." (Amos, 3:10)

The Importance of Peace and Friendship

When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. (Deuteronomy, 20:10)

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalms, 133:1)

For he [Solomon] ruled over all the kingdoms... and had peace on all sides. (1 Kings, 4:24)

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. (Proverbs, 12:20)

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms, 34:14)

... Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? (Malachi, 2:10)

And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, "Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, '... make a treaty with us'." (Joshua, 9:11)

Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. (Joshua, 9:15)

Then the whole assembly sent an offer of peace... (Judges, 21:13)

The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as He had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty. (1 Kings, 5:12)

... For he thought, "will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?" (2 Kings, 20:19)

... And the kingdom was at peace before Him. (2 Chronicles, 14:5)

And the kingdom... was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. (2 Chronicles, 20:30)

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. (Psalms, 37:37)

I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms, 120:7)

All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing. (Isaiah, 14:7)

Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler. (Isaiah, 60:17)

... And the battle bow will be broken. He [your King] will proclaim peace to the nations... (Zechariah, 9:10)

"These men are friendly toward us," they said. "Let them live in our land and trade in it; the land has plenty of room for them... " (Genesis, 34:21)

Then David and Jonathan made a covenant, because he loved him as himself. (1 Samuel, 18:3)

... and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman. (Psalms, 15:3)

I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who follow Your precepts. (Psalms, 119:63)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs, 17:17)

... But fear your God, so that your brother may continue to live among you. (Leviticus, 25:36)

"If one of your brother becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave." (Leviticus, 25:39)

And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly... (Deuteronomy, 1:16)

This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his believer brother He shall not require payment from believer brother... (Deuteronomy, 15:2)

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy, 15:11)

Do not abhor... for he is your brother. (Deuteronomy, 23:7)

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs, 3:17)

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence... will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Isaiah, 32:17-18)

"... Render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor... I hate all this," declares the Lord. Again the word of the Lord Almighty came to me. This is what the Lord Almighty says: "... Therefore love truth and peace." (Zechariah, 8:16-18)

... The whole world at rest and in peace. (Zechariah, 1:11)

... "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." (Psalms, 122:6-8)

The Importance of Reason and Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs, 9:10)

... Better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! (Proverbs, 16:16)

The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs, 15:33)

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. (Job, 28:18)

And He said to man, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding." (Job, 28:28)

But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. (Job, 32:8-9)

A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength. (Proverbs, 24:5)

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding. (Proverbs, 3:13)

[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (Proverbs, 3:18)

Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value? (Job, 15:2-3)

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (Proverbs, 17:10)

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs, 15:2)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (Proverbs, 15:7)

Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs, 15:21)

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance. (Ecclesiastes, 8:1)

The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness. (Ecclesiastes, 2:14)

A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way. (Ecclesiastes, 10:2)

Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. (Ecclesiastes, 10:12)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. (Proverbs, 28:2)

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Proverbs, 28:26)

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (Proverbs, 17:27-28)

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (Proverbs, 18:4)

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. (Proverbs, 18:15)

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Proverbs, 15:31)

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. (1 Kings, 10:23)

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalms, 19:7)

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. (Psalms, 37:30)

And He [God] would disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. (Job, 11:6)

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." (Proverbs, 8:11-12)

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you... therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. (Proverbs, 4:5-8)

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding. And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs, 2:1-5)

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs, 2:6)

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways. (Proverbs, 2:10-13)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs, 11:2)

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. (Proverbs, 10:13)

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. (Proverbs, 10:23)

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs, 12:18)

A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs, 13:1)

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs, 13:10)

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. (Proverbs, 14:29)

Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. (Proverbs, 26:8)

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (Proverbs, 13:14-16)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs, 1:7)

"And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt"... Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." (Genesis, 41:33, 39-41)

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your word. I have not departed from Your laws, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. (Psalms 119:98-104)

Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you."... So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. (Deuteronomy, 1:13, 15)

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." (Deuteronomy, 4:6)

Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not... your Creator, Who made you and formed you? (Deuteronomy, 32:6)

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (1 Kings, 3:10-12)

... They saw that he [Solomon] had wisdom from God to administer justice. (1 Kings, 3:28)

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the east, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man... Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings, 4:29-34)

... He [David] said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg You, take away the guilt of Your servant. I have done a very foolish thing." (2 Samuel, 24:10)

And Hiram added: "Praise be to the Lord... Who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment"... "I am sending you... a man of great skill." (2 Chronicles, 2:12-13)

"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His. (Job, 12:13)

"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good." (Job, 34:2-4)

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. (Psalms, 2:10-11)

The fool says in his heart, "there is no God" [God is beyond this]. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good... there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good not even one. (Psalms, 14:1-3)

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. Yet I am always with You... You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. (Psalms, 73:22-24)

How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand. (Psalms, 92:5-6)

Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? Does He Who implanted the ear not hear? Does He Who formed the eye not see? (Psalms, 94:8-9)

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalms, 119:130)

Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. (Psalms, 119:144)

May my cry come before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word. (Psalms, 119:169)

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. (Proverbs, 3:7)

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. (Proverbs, 4:11)

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. (Proverbs, 5:1-2)

... Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. (Proverbs, 9:8-9)

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." (Proverbs, 9:12)

The woman folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. (Proverbs, 9:13)

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. (Proverbs, 10:14)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs, 11:30)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs, 13:20)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. (Proverbs, 14:6)

Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. (Proverbs, 14:7)

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (Proverbs, 14:8)

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. (Proverbs, 14:16)

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (Proverbs, 14:18)

The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. (Proverbs, 14:24)

A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. (Proverbs, 20:26)

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (Proverbs, 14:33)

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (Proverbs, 15:32)

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. (Proverbs, 16:21)

Discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. (Proverbs, 17:24-25)

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge. (Proverbs, 21:11)

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach. (Proverbs, 22:17)

Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. (Proverbs, 23:9)

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. (Proverbs, 23:19)

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (Proverbs, 23:23)

... If you find it [wisdom], there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs, 24:14)

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good. (Proverbs, 24:23)

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. (Proverbs, 26:4)

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs, 27:11-12)

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. (Proverbs 29:8-9)

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom... So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength."... The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons... (Ecclesiastes, 9:15-18)

Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. (Ecclesiastes, 7:19)

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the believers from the royal family and the nobility- young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. (Daniel, 1:3-4)

I thank and praise You, O God... You have given me wisdom and power. (Daniel, 2:23)

I have heard that... you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. (Daniel, 5:14)

And to fear Your name is wisdom... (Micah, 6:9)

Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs, 26:5)

Like cutting off one's feet is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. (Proverbs, 26:6)

Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. (Proverbs, 26:7)

Generosity and Avoiding Parsimony

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs, 11:24-25)

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. (Psalms, 37:21)

... Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded... (Deuteronomy, 15:7-8)

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper. (Proverbs, 28:25)

They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (Psalms, 37:26)

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken... (Psalms, 112:5-6)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. (Ecclesiastes, 5:10-12)

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs, 22:9)

... Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother... Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to... Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy, 15:7, 10-11)

Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure. Nothing is left for him to devour; his prosperity will not endure. In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him. When he has filled his belly, God will rain down His blows upon him. (Job, 20:20-23)

Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. (Proverbs, 23:6-7)

A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. (Proverbs, 28:22)

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (Proverbs, 28:27)

You shall not... give him your food for profit. (Leviticus, 25:37)

A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs, 28:20)

The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king's table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. (1 Kings, 4:27)

Trusting in God, not in Material Power

Bestowing wealth on those who love Me and making their treasuries full. (Proverbs, 8:21)

Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches. (Psalms, 49:6)

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an impassable wall. (Proverbs, 18:11)

Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others! (Psalms, 52:7)

What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? (Isaiah, 10:3)

The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish: The Lord's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke. (Psalms, 37:18-20)

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death... When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. (Proverbs, 11:4, 7)

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. (Ezekiel, 28:5)

One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat. (Proverbs, 13:7-8)

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs, 23:4-5)

... wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost... (Ecclesiastes, 5:13-14)

Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? (Job, 36:19)

Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay, what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver. The house he builds is like a moth's cocoon, like a hut made by a watchman. He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone. (Job, 27:16-19)

Avoiding Unfair Earnings

... Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion!... (Habakkuk, 2:6)

Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. (Job, 36:18)

Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool. (Jeremiah, 17:11)

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs, 13:11)

Who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalms, 15:5)

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked. (Psalms, 37:16)

"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness... making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor." (Jeremiah, 22:13)

He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. (Proverbs, 22:16)

... O wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights? Her rich men are violent; her people are liars... (Micah, 6:10-12)

If a man denounces his friends for reward, the eyes of his children will fail. (Job, 17:5)

Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. (Ecclesiastes, 7:7)

A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. (Proverbs, 11:17)

He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend at usury or take any increase. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. (Ezekiel, 18:7-8)

Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain... (Habakkuk, 2:9)

... But they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (Ezekiel, 33:31)

"... You take usury and increase and make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion. And you have forgotten Me", declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel, 22:12)

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding. But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. (Proverbs, 28:16)

He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. (Proverbs, 28:18)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. (Proverbs, 28:6)

Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. (Proverbs, 1:19)

... O Lord... Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain. (Psalms, 119:33, 36)

But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (1 Samuel, 8:3)

... They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. (Amos, 2:6)

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus, 18:21)

Industry and Avoiding Sloth

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs, 14:23)

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. (Proverbs, 15:19)

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (Proverbs, 12:24)

The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs, 13:4)

The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. (Proverbs, 21:25)

A lazy man does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a man is diligence. (Proverbs, 12:27)

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs, 10:4)

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (Proverbs, 6:6)

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. (Proverbs, 19:15)

A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (Proverbs, 20:4)

He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. (Proverbs, 28:19)

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes, 10:18)

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. (Proverbs, 10:26)

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs, 31:27)

... was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force... (1 Kings, 11:28)

The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them... (2 Chronicles, 24:13)

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs, 21:5)

Avoiding Mockery

But they mocked God's messengers, despised His words and scoffed at his Prophets... (2 Chronicles, 36:16)

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Proverbs, 22:10)

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. (Proverbs, 29:8)

You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice... in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. (Obadiah, 1:12)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. (Proverbs, 14:6)

... Scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let Him deliver him, since He delights in him." Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God. (Psalms, 22:6-10)

Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. (Proverbs, 19:29)

"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs, 1:22)

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me... Rescue my life from their ravages... (Psalms, 35:16-17)

He [the Lord] mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs, 3:34)

A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. (Proverbs, 15:12)

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker... (Proverbs, 17:5)

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge. (Proverbs, 21:11)

The proud and arrogant man—"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. (Proverbs, 21:24)

Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land. (Isaiah, 28:22)

The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down. (Isaiah, 29:20)

This is what they will get in return for their pride... and mocking... The Lord will be awesome to them... (Zephaniah, 2:10-11)

To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God. (Job, 34:37)

Avoiding Despair and Finding Peace Through Faith in God

"... Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah, 8:10)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs, 14:30)

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job, 5:2)

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs, 15:13)

... "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." (Isaiah, 30:15)

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah, 32:17)

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures... (Psalms, 16:11)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. (Psalms, 62:1)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. (Psalms, 62:5)

I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." (Psalms, 16:2)

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. (2 Samuel, 22:20; Psalms, 18:19)

When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." (Psalms, 30:6)

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (Psalms, 37:11)

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! (Proverbs, 24:10)

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong... Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes... Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Psalms, 37:1, 7-8)

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. (Proverbs, 24:19-20)

The righteous man is rescued from trouble and it comes on the wicked instead. (Proverbs, 11:8)

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. (Deuteronomy, 4:30)

... A righteous man escapes trouble. (Proverbs, 12:13)

... They went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done... (1 Kings, 8:66)

How happy Your men must be! How happy Your officials, who continually stand before You and hear Your wisdom! (1 Kings, 10:8; 2 Chronicles, 9:7)

... Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. (Psalms, 144:15)

... God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes, 5:20)

My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. (Isaiah, 65:14)

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. (Jeremiah, 17:7)

But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!" (Psalms, 40:16)

... Their hearts will rejoice in the Lord. (Zechariah, 10:7)

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Psalms, 116:7)

I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free. (Psalms, 119:32)

... May those who love You be secure. (Psalms, 122:6)

But whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs, 1:33)

... I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence. (Proverbs, 8:30)

Spiritual Cleanliness

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. (Psalms, 119:1)

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalms, 51:2)

... Wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts? (Jeremiah, 4:14)

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes." (Genesis, 35:2)

They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them... (Ezekiel, 37:23)

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. (Daniel, 12:10)

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him... (Psalms, 24:4-6)

Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. (Job, 17:9)

... The words of the pure are pleasing to Him [the Lord]. (Proverbs, 15:26)

My shield is God Most High, Who saves the upright in heart. (Psalms, 7:10)

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms, 51:10)

... Because of the uncleanness and rebellion... whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. (Leviticus, 16:16)

... and make them ceremonially clean. (Numbers, 8:6)

When they... consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the house of the Lord, as the king had ordered, following the word of the Lord. (2 Chronicles, 29:15)

For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. (Psalms, 66:10)

The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts... is the Lord. (Proverbs, 17:3)

Those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth. (Proverbs, 30:12)

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. (Ezekiel, 36:25)

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. (Ezekiel, 36:33)

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. (Daniel, 11:35)

... A fountain will be opened... to cleanse them from sin and impurity. (Zechariah, 13:1)

The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. (2 Samuel, 22:21)

If you are pure and upright, even now He will... restore you to your rightful place. (Job, 8:6)

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! (Psalms, 32:11)

Continue your love to those who know You, Your righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalms, 36:10)

Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart praise Him! (Psalms, 64:10)

Surely God is good... to those who are pure in heart. (Psalms, 73:1)

Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. (Psalms, 94:15)

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. (Psalms, 97:10-11)

... O Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing... (Psalms, 101:1-3)

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. (Psalms, 119:1)

I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws. (Psalms, 119:7)

Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. (Psalms, 125:4)

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. (Proverbs, 22:11)

The Servants Promised Happiness by God

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. (Jeremiah, 17:7)

Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. (Psalms, 119:2)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. (Psalms, 128:1)

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to lies. (Psalms, 40:4)

Blessed are those whose strength is in You... (Psalms, 84:5)

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. (Psalms, 119:1)

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. (Psalms, 1:1)

Blessed is the man... whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalms, 32:2)

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You. (Psalms, 84:12)

... Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. (Psalms, 112:1)

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. (Psalms, 112:5)

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. (Psalms, 106:3)

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding. (Proverbs, 3:13)

Blessed is the man whom God corrects... (Job, 5:17)

... [Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (Proverbs, 3:18)

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. (Proverbs, 16:20)

... The Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalms, 34:8)

How happy Your officials, who continually stand before You and hear Your wisdom! (1 Kings, 10:8; 2 Chronicles, 9:7)

... Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. (Psalms, 2:12)

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalms, 32:1)

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. (Psalms, 41:1)

... Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. (Psalms, 144:15)

... Blessed are those who keep My ways. (Proverbs, 8:32)

... Blessed is he who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs, 14:21)

Maintain justice and do what is right...Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast... (Isaiah, 56:1-2)

How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance. (Psalms, 89:15)