Daily Devotions · June 3
Reading for June 3
Read the whole Bible in a year, a few chapters a day.
Proverbs 25–27 · Romans 15
Proverbs 25–27 · Romans 15, Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 25
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. 3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched. 4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. 5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; 7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, 8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. 15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. 18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. 23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. 24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. 28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Proverbs 26
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool. 2 Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. 6 Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7 Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8 Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. 9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 10 Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby. 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13 The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. 15 The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. 17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, 19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. 21 Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. 23 Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. 25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. 26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 27
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. 4 Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy? 5 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. 6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet. 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home. 9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul. 10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. 11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me. 12 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. 13 Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. 14 If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse. 15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— 16 restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand. 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. 19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. 21 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him. 22 Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; 24 for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. 25 When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. 27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
Romans 15
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” 10 Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” 12 And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.” 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” 22 That is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you, 24 I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this service and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set off to Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain.
How to SOAP
Grab a journal and a pen. Read the chapters above and watch for the verse that stops you. Then take it through four steps.
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Scripture
Write out the verse that stood out to you.
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Observation
What is it saying? Who is speaking, and to whom?
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Application
What does it mean for your life today? Be specific.
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Prayer
Talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you live it.
Your SOAP journal
Write your SOAP here. Tap any verse in the reading to add it to Scripture. Your journal saves on this device only, so no one else sees it.
Added to your journal. Go to journal
Why daily devotions?
Devotions are time set aside each day to read God's Word and let Him speak. The point isn't checking off chapters. It's meeting with Him.
Ten or fifteen minutes is enough to start. Pick a time and a place and keep the appointment. Mornings work well for a lot of us, before the phone and the day start talking.
Missed a day? Don't start over. Read today's chapters and keep going.