The Book of Wisdom addresses Jewish communities living in diaspora, particularly in Alexandria, encouraging them to remain faithful amid pagan influences. The author, writing under Solomon's name, has been contrasting the fates of the righteous and wicked, demonstrating how divine wisdom guided Israel's ancestors while punishing their enemies. In the preceding chapters, the text explores how God's justice operates through history, showing mercy to the faithful while bringing judgment upon the unrighteous. The author has established that true wisdom comes from God and leads to immortality, while foolishness results in death. Immediately before this passage, the text transitions from discussing God's judgment to directly addressing earthly rulers, urging them to seek wisdom and honor God's sovereignty. The author now begins an extended personification of Wisdom herself, describing her accessibility and benefits to those who earnestly seek her.
[11] Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.
[12] Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her. [13] She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. [14] Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors. [15] To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care. [16] For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, showeth herself favorably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought.
[17] For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; [18] and love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; [19] and incorruption maketh us near unto God: [20] therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom. [21] If your delight be then in thrones and scepters, O ye kings of the people, honor wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.
St. Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians 6:1-10
Paul has been defending his apostolic ministry against critics in Corinth, explaining that his sufferings and weaknesses actually demonstrate God's power working through him. He has described the new covenant ministry as one of the Spirit that brings life and righteousness, contrasting it with the old covenant of the law. Paul has emphasized that believers are being transformed into Christ's image and that, despite outward afflictions, they possess an eternal glory that far outweighs present troubles. He has urged the Corinthians to be reconciled to God, explaining that Christ became sin for humanity so that people might become the righteousness of God in him. Paul is addressing the church at Corinth.
[1] We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. [2] For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
[3] We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. [4] But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, [5] in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; [6] by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, [7] by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; [9] as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; [10] as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Jesus has been preparing His disciples for His imminent departure, explaining the coming of the Holy Spirit who will guide and teach them. He has warned them about the world's hatred, emphasizing that just as the world hated Him, it will also hate His followers because they do not belong to the world. Jesus has clarified that this persecution stems from the world's rejection of both Him and the Father who sent Him, and He has explained that the Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Throughout this discourse in the upper room, Jesus has been comforting His disciples while simultaneously preparing them for the difficult realities they will face after His crucifixion and ascension. Jesus is addressing His twelve disciples.
[1] “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. [3] And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. [4] But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.