1 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but the one who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord,
but the Lord condemns a person with wicked schemes.
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but a righteous root cannot be moved.
4 A noble wife is the crown of her husband,
but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood,
but the words of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and perish,
but the righteous household will stand.
8 A person will be praised in accordance with his wisdom,
but the one with a bewildered mind will be despised.
9 Better is a person of humble standing who works for himself,
than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.
10 A righteous person cares for the life of his animal,
but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his field will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense.
12 The wicked person has desired the stronghold of the wicked,
but the root of the righteous will yield fruit.
13 The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech,
but the righteous person escapes out of trouble.
14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,
and the work of his hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own opinion,
but the one who listens to advice is wise.
16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once,
but the prudent conceals dishonor.
17 The faithful witness tells what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.
18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever,
but the one who lies will last only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No harm will be directed at the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with calamity.
22 The Lord abhors a person who lies,
but those who deal truthfully are his delight.
23 The shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but foolish people proclaim folly.
24 The diligent person will rule,
but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but an encouraging word brings him joy.
26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy person does not roast his prey,
but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
but another path leads to death.
1 Now three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 So the chief priests and the most prominent men of the Jews brought formal charges against Paul to him. 3 Requesting him to do them a favor against Paul, they urged Festus to summon him to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” he said, “let your leaders go down there with me, and if this man has done anything wrong, they may bring charges against him.”
6 After Festus had stayed not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they were not able to prove. 8 Paul said in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?” 10 Paul replied, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I should be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 11 If then I am in the wrong and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, but if not one of their charges against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then, after conferring with his council, Festus replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!”
13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 While they were staying there many days, Festus explained Paul’s case to the king to get his opinion, saying, “There is a man left here as a prisoner by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met his accusers face-to-face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation. 17 So after they came back here with me, I did not postpone the case, but the next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When his accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the evil deeds I had suspected. 19 Rather they had several points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive. 20 Because I was at a loss how I could investigate these matters, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges. 21 But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of His Majesty the Emperor, I ordered him to be kept under guard until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I would also like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he replied, “you will hear him.”
23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience hall, along with the senior military officers and the prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all you who are present here with us, you see this man about whom the entire Jewish populace petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, shouting loudly that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing that deserved death, and when he appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this preliminary hearing I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without clearly indicating the charges against him.”