Acts 17:21

Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise,

Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.

that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”

For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.

But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.

Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.

In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.

They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.

If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies: “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink;” he would be the prophet of this people.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.

Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.

For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?

who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—

for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine,

I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth,

One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.

to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to weary,” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear.

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?

The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me.

He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,

but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.

Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, that it’s good for a man to remain as he is.

and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.

Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith—

That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables.

whose mouths must be stopped: men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word,

For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.

They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.”

Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.

Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful.

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.

Tremble, you women who are at ease! Be troubled, you careless ones! Strip yourselves, make yourselves naked, and put sackcloth on your waist.

then Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely. Yahweh our God has not sent you to say, ‘You shall not go into Egypt to live there;’

“We have heard of the pride of Moab. He is very proud in his loftiness, his pride, his arrogance, and the arrogance of his heart.

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who are secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!

I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, but they added to the calamity.”

About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’

In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.

The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”

They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.

But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.

As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.