Evening Scripture

Proverbs 20
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Sluggards do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.

Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?

The righteous lead blameless lives;
    blessed are their children after them.

When a king sits on his throne to judge,
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
    I am clean and without sin”?

Differing weights and differing measures—
    the Lord detests them both.

Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure and upright?

Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

A gossip betrays a confidence;
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

If someone curses their father or mother,
    their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

An inheritance claimed too soon
    will not be blessed at the end.

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales do not please him.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
    How then can anyone understand their own way?

It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
    and only later to consider one’s vows.

A wise king winnows out the wicked;
    he drives the threshing wheel over them.

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love his throne is made secure.

The glory of young men is their strength,
    gray hair the splendor of the old.

Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
    and beatings purge the inmost being.

Evening Reflection

What do we do when no one is around? How do we act and behave when no one is looking? Are we as trustworthy when we think no one sees us, as we are when we know we’re being watched? Do we choose integrity over doing what seems easier? Because God always sees us, at all times, we know, as believers in Jesus Christ, that there is no hiding from His sight. But sometimes, we may think He isn’t really paying attention, and we can get away with things, stuff we believe is small and doesn’t really matter to Him, because we think it’s really no big deal, and besides, He understands our weaknesses.

Although it’s true that God does understand our faults and shortcomings, of how we are tempted and sometimes fail, it doesn’t mean He is okay with them. It just means He knows the flesh is weak, and at times, we easily give into it.  Still, He also knows that He sent the Holy Spirit to help us, to lead and encourage us to choose integrity over temptation, whether anyone is watching us or not, knowing He is with us wherever we go, to help us resist choosing sinfulness over righteousness.

Evening Prayer

God,
I ask You today to direct my steps, to teach me to choose integrity when no one sees me. Help me to be faithful to You in all I do, following Your just ways, weighing decisions and choices in life according to Your word and measures, rather than adapting to the world’s unjust methods of measuring and dishonest scales.
Help me avoid creating strife with others and keep me from starting or entering quarrels with those around me. When I experience injury, disappointments, and rejection from others, strengthen me to let go of my hurt and pain and trust You to avenge me.
Put a guard over my lips, so that when I’m tempted to gossip, my mouth does not give in. Empower me to live a blameless life before you and before those around me. Cleanse my heart so that I might live a pure and clean life.
Amen

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/20.html">Proverbs 20</a> Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; &nbsp; &nbsp; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
A king&rsquo;s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; &nbsp; &nbsp; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
It is to one&rsquo;s honor to avoid strife, &nbsp; &nbsp; but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Sluggards&nbsp;do not plow in season; &nbsp; &nbsp; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
The purposes of a person&rsquo;s heart are deep waters, &nbsp; &nbsp; but one who has insight draws them out.
Many claim to have unfailing love, &nbsp; &nbsp; but a faithful person who can find?
The righteous lead blameless lives; &nbsp; &nbsp; blessed are their children after them.
When a king sits on his throne to judge, &nbsp; &nbsp; he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, &ldquo;I have kept my heart pure; &nbsp; &nbsp; I am clean and without sin&rdquo;?
Differing weights and differing measures&mdash; &nbsp; &nbsp; the Lord detests them both.
Even small children are known by their actions, &nbsp; &nbsp; so is their conduct really pure and upright?
Ears that hear and eyes that see&mdash; &nbsp; &nbsp; the Lord has made them both.
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; &nbsp; &nbsp; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no good, it&rsquo;s no good!&rdquo; says the buyer&mdash; &nbsp; &nbsp; then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, &nbsp; &nbsp; but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; &nbsp; &nbsp; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, &nbsp; &nbsp; but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
Plans are established by seeking advice; &nbsp; &nbsp; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
A gossip betrays a confidence; &nbsp; &nbsp; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
If someone curses their father or mother, &nbsp; &nbsp; their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
An inheritance claimed too soon &nbsp; &nbsp; will not be blessed at the end.
Do not say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pay you back for this wrong!&rdquo; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
The&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;detests differing weights, &nbsp; &nbsp; and dishonest scales do not please him.
A person&rsquo;s steps are directed&nbsp;by the&nbsp;Lord. &nbsp; &nbsp; How then can anyone understand their own way?
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly &nbsp; &nbsp; and only later to consider one&rsquo;s vows.
A wise king winnows out the wicked; &nbsp; &nbsp; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
The human spirit is&nbsp;the lamp of the&nbsp;Lord &nbsp; &nbsp; that sheds light on one&rsquo;s inmost being.
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; &nbsp; &nbsp; through love his throne is made secure.
The glory of young men is their strength, &nbsp; &nbsp; gray hair the splendor of the old.
Blows and wounds scrub&nbsp;away evil, &nbsp; &nbsp; and beatings purge the inmost being.
Evening Reflection
What do we do when no one is around? How do we act and behave when no one is looking? Are we as trustworthy when we think no one sees us, as we are when we know we&rsquo;re being watched? Do we choose integrity over doing what seems easier? Because God always sees us, at all times, we know, as believers in Jesus Christ, that there is no hiding from His sight. But sometimes, we may think He isn&rsquo;t really paying attention, and we can get away with things, stuff we believe is small and doesn&rsquo;t really matter to Him, because we think it&rsquo;s really no big deal, and besides, He understands our weaknesses.
Although it&rsquo;s true that God does understand our faults and shortcomings, of how we are tempted and sometimes fail, it doesn&rsquo;t mean He is okay with them. It just means He knows the flesh is weak, and at times, we easily give into it. &nbsp;Still, He also knows that He sent the Holy Spirit to help us, to lead and encourage us to choose integrity over temptation, whether anyone is watching us or not, knowing He is with us wherever we go, to help us resist choosing sinfulness over righteousness.
Evening Prayer
God, I ask You today to direct my steps, to teach me to choose integrity when no one sees me. Help me to be faithful to You in all I do, following Your just ways, weighing decisions and choices in life according to Your word and measures, rather than adapting to the world&rsquo;s unjust methods of measuring and dishonest scales. Help me avoid creating strife with others and keep me from starting or entering quarrels with those around me. When I experience injury, disappointments, and rejection from others, strengthen me to let go of my hurt and pain and trust You to avenge me. Put a guard over my lips, so that when I&rsquo;m tempted to gossip, my mouth does not give in. Empower me to live a blameless life before you and before those around me. Cleanse my heart so that I might live a pure and clean life. Amen

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Choosing Integrity When No One Sees (Proverbs 20)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/803e431b-4155-46b6-a9b2-b44100c7dba3/transcript