The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
        he turns it wherever he will.
    Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
        but the LORD weighs the heart.
    To do righteousness and justice
        is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
    Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
        the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
    The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
        but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
    The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
        is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
    The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
        because they refuse to do what is just.
    The way of the guilty is crooked,
        but the conduct of the pure is upright.
    It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
        than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
    The soul of the wicked desires evil;
        his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
    When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
        when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
    The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
        he throws the wicked down to ruin.
    Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
        will himself call out and not be answered.
    A gift in secret averts anger,
        and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
    When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
        but terror to evildoers.
    One who wanders from the way of good sense
        will rest in the assembly of the dead.
    Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
        he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
    The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
        and the traitor for the upright.
    It is better to live in a desert land
        than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
    Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,
        but a foolish man devours it.
    Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
        will find life, righteousness, and honor.
    A wise man scales the city of the mighty
        and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
    Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
        keeps himself out of trouble.
    “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
        who acts with arrogant pride.
    The desire of the sluggard kills him,
        for his hands refuse to labor.
    All day long he craves and craves,
        but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
        how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
    A false witness will perish,
        but the word of a man who hears will endure.
    A wicked man puts on a bold face,
        but the upright gives thought to his ways.
    No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
        can avail against the LORD.
    The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
        but the victory belongs to the LORD.
    A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
        and favor is better than silver or gold.
    The rich and the poor meet together;
        the LORD is the Maker of them all.
    The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
        but the simple go on and suffer for it.
    The reward for humility and fear of the LORD
        is riches and honor and life.
    Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
        whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
    Train up a child in the way he should go;
        even when he is old he will not depart from it.
    The rich rules over the poor,
        and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
    Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
        and the rod of his fury will fail.
    Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
        for he shares his bread with the poor.
    Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
        and quarreling and abuse will cease.
    He who loves purity of heart,
        and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
    The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
        but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
    The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
        I shall be killed in the streets!”
    The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
        he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.
    Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
        but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
    Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
        or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
    
    
        Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
        and apply your heart to my knowledge,
    for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
        if all of them are ready on your lips.
    That your trust may be in the LORD,
        I have made them known to you today, even to you.
    Have I not written for you thirty sayings
        of counsel and knowledge,
    to make you know what is right and true,
        that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
    
    
    Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
        or crush the afflicted at the gate,
    for the LORD will plead their cause
        and rob of life those who rob them.
    Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
        nor go with a wrathful man,
    lest you learn his ways
        and entangle yourself in a snare.
    Be not one of those who give pledges,
        who put up security for debts.
    If you have nothing with which to pay,
        why should your bed be taken from under you?
    Do not move the ancient landmark
        that your fathers have set.
    Do you see a man skillful in his work?
        He will stand before kings;
        he will not stand before obscure men. (ESV)

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

  And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

  So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

  Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

  Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. (ESV)