¹⁹ As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and made come true everything that Samuel said. ²⁰ So all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, knew that Samuel was indeed a prophet of the Lord.

⁹ Don't think that God Most High is going to take into account how very generous you are and so accept any offering you decide to make.

¹⁰ Never get tired of praying, and never miss a chance to give to the poor.

¹¹ Don't laugh at someone who has been humiliated. It is the Lord who humbles a person, but the Lord also raises him up again.

10 ¹ A wise ruler will educate his people, and his government will be orderly.

³ No good ever comes to a person who gives comfort to the wicked; it is not a righteous act.^[a]

¹³ No sinner can escape with what he has stolen. The Lord will reward the patience of devout people.

¹⁸ More people have died as a result of loose talk than were ever killed by swords. ^19-20 Count yourself lucky if you have been spared the experience of having irresponsible talk directed against you—if you have never had that iron yoke around your neck or those heavy chains on your legs.