If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

1 The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

15 Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

    but delight in airing their own opinions.

    and with shame comes reproach.

    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

    and so deprive the innocent of justice.

    and their mouths invite a beating.

    and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

    they go down to the inmost parts.

    is brother to one who destroys.

    the righteous run to it and are safe.

    they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

    but humility comes before honour.

    that is folly and shame.

    but a crushed spirit who can bear?

    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

    and keeps strong opponents apart.

    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

    and receives favour from the Lord.

    but the rich answer harshly.

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    than a house full of feasting, with strife.

    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

    but the Lord tests the heart.

    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

    whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

    and parents are the pride of their children.

    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

    they think success will come at every turn.

    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

    more than a hundred lashes a fool.

    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

    than a fool bent on folly.

    of one who pays back evil for good.

    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

    the Lord detests them both.

    when they are not able to understand it?

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

    and puts up security for a neighbour.

    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

    to pervert the course of justice.

    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

    surely to flog honest officials is not right.

    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

    but motives are weighed by the Lord.

    and he will establish your plans.

    even the wicked for a day of disaster.

    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

    through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

    he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

    than much gain with injustice.

    but the Lord establishes their steps.

    and his mouth does not betray justice.

    all the weights in the bag are of his making.

    for a throne is established through righteousness.

    they value the one who speaks what is right.

    but the wise will appease it.

    his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.

    to get insight rather than silver!

    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

    a haughty spirit before a fall.

    than to share plunder with the proud.

    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

    and gracious words promote instruction.

    but folly brings punishment to fools.

    and their lips promote instruction.

    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

    but in the end it leads to death.

    their hunger drives them on.

    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.

    and a gossip separates close friends.

    and leads them down a path that is not good.

    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

    but its every decision is from the Lord.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
    and humility comes before honour.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

    the one who hates correction will die.

    how much more do human hearts!

    so they avoid the wise.

    but heartache crushes the spirit.

    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

    than great wealth with turmoil.

    than a fattened calf with hatred.

    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

    but the path of the upright is a highway.

    but a foolish man despises his mother.

    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

    but with many advisers they succeed.

    and how good is a timely word!

    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

    but gracious words are pure in his sight.

    but the one who hates bribes will live.

    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

    and good news gives health to the bones.

    will be at home among the wise.

    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

    and humility comes before honour.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

    but the lips of the wise protect them.

    but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

    but a false witness pours out lies.

    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

    but the folly of fools is deception.

    but goodwill is found among the upright.

    and no one else can share its joy.

    but the tent of the upright will flourish.

    but in the end it leads to death.

    and rejoicing may end in grief.

    and the good rewarded for theirs.

    but the prudent give thought to their steps.

    but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

    but the rich have many friends.

    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

    But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

    but the folly of fools yields folly.

    but a false witness is deceitful.

    and for their children it will be a refuge.

    turning a person from the snares of death.

    but without subjects a prince is ruined.

    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

    but envy rots the bones.

    but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.

    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

    and even among fools she lets herself be known.

    but sin condemns any people.

    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

    and bring shame on themselves.

    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

    turning a person from the snares of death.

    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

    but fools expose their folly.

    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

    but whoever heeds correction is honoured.

    but fools detest turning from evil.

    for a companion of fools suffers harm.

    but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

    but injustice sweeps it away.

    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you? 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?