counsel of two or three

¹⁵One witness shall not stand against another, no matter what the sin or outrage may be. For every word shall stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses.

¹Behold, this is the third time that I am coming to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall stand.

¹⁹Do not be willing to accept an accusation against a priest, except under two or three witnesses.

⁸I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you.

¹⁶But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses.

²²Intentions dissipate where there is no counsel. Yet truly, they are confirmed where there are many counselors.

²⁸If someone dies for acting against the law of Moses, and is shown no compassion because of two or three witnesses,

⁶For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. And leadership is placed upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called: wonderful Counselor, mighty God, father of the future age, Prince of Peace.

³¹Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways. ³²For everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simple.

¹Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise. ²Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously. ³Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved. ⁴A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones. ⁵The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest. ⁶The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.

¹Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, and has not remained in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.

¹The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, ²in order to know wisdom and discipline, ³to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity, ⁴so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents. ⁵By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments. ⁶He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas.

¹O Lord, you are my God! I will exalt you, and I will confess your name. For you have accomplished miracles. Your plan, from antiquity, is faithful. Amen.

²¹There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.

²³Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you.

²⁹And this has gone forth from the Lord, the God of hosts, so that he may accomplish his miraculous plan and magnify justice.

¹⁶Let the word of Christ live in you in abundance, with all wisdom, teaching and correcting one another, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing to God with the grace in your hearts.

⁵May he grant to you according to your heart, and confirm all your counsels.

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.