"Fortified Strength 2"

Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

For their minds plot violence,

And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].

Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,

And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

And by knowledge its rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong,

And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;

For by wise guidance you can wage your war,

And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory and safety. Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.

He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker.

The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. (Proverbs 24:1-10) Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power;

Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

In the greatness of Your majesty You overthrow and annihilate those [adversaries] who rise [in rebellion] against You; You sent out your burning anger. It burned them up like straw. You in Your lovingkindness and goodness have led the people whom You have redeemed;

In Your strength You have guided them with care to Your holy habitation. (Exodus 15:6-7,13) For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God. (2 Corinthians 4:6-15) "BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word [the good news of salvation] which was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:25) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. (Ephesians 6:10) He WILL PAY BACK TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS [justly, as his deeds deserve]: to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life. But for those who are selfishly ambitious and self-seeking and disobedient to the truth but responsive to wickedness, [there will be] wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and anguish [torturing confinement] for every human soul who does [or permits] evil, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, but glory and honor and inner peace [will be given] to everyone who habitually does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than another]. (Romans 2:6-11) They will say of me, "There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh." Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed. (Isaiah 45:24)