Daily Devotions · May 31
Reading for May 31
Read the whole Bible in a year, a few chapters a day.
Proverbs 16–18 · Romans 12
Proverbs 16–18 · Romans 12, Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 16
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. 3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. 4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. 5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. 6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. 8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. 11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. 12 Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. 16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. 17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. 21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. 27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. 30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 17
Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. 3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. 4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue. 5 He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father. 7 Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler! 8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends. 10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house. 14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. 16 Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. 19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. 20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. 21 A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. 24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26 It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty. 27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. 28 Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 18
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. 3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. 9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. 12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. 14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. 16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. 17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. 18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. 19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. 20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. 23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Romans 12
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. 6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7 if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. 11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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.