Proverbs 1.15-16
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them (the sinners from verse 10),
Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
Why would we forsake wisdom to follow along with people who habitually do wrong things? Where will their path lead?
Lord, help me love your wisdom and follow along with people on your wise path.
Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
Why would we forsake wisdom to follow along with people who habitually do wrong things? Where will their path lead?
Lord, help me love your wisdom and follow along with people on your wise path.
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When you seek wisdom and discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God...
Proverbs 2.20-22
20 So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land
And the blameless will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land
And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.
Lord, help me walk in the way of and with good men.
Proverbs 2.20-22
20 So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land
And the blameless will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land
And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.
Lord, help me walk in the way of and with good men.
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A man is truly wealthy when he has the means and generosity of spirit to do more good than he has to do.
Proverbs 3.27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
Lord, make me generously rich.
Proverbs 3.27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
Lord, make me generously rich.
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These sayings reinforce they idea of john 8:12 and Ephesians 5:8.
Proverbs 4.18-19
18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,[or light]
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
Lord, help me walk as a child of the light.
Proverbs 4.18-19
18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,[or light]
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
Lord, help me walk as a child of the light.
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This section of Proverbs five presents a wholesome contrast of the intimate marriage relationship between a man and woman with and against all the objectification of women, infidelity, and perversion of God's good gift.
Proverbs 5.18-19
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
19 As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.
Proverbs 5.18-19
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
19 As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.
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When lust so overwhelms us that we disregard people's relationships in order to gratify our desires we have become like beasts and will pay the price.
Proverbs 6.33-35
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding;
He who does so destroys his own soul.
Wounds and dishonor he will get,
And his reproach will not be wiped away.
For jealousy is a husband's fury;
Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
He will accept no recompense,
Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
Lord, help me see people the way You do.
Proverbs 6.33-35
Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding;
He who does so destroys his own soul.
Wounds and dishonor he will get,
And his reproach will not be wiped away.
For jealousy is a husband's fury;
Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
He will accept no recompense,
Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
Lord, help me see people the way You do.
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Proverbs seven is the story of a naive young man who wanders into the snare of a femme fatale. These verses describe the woman who meets him.
Proverbs 7.10-12 And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. Lord, give my sons an eye for a 1 Peter 3.1-6 woman. |
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Last Wisdom describes herself in chapter eight. These verses highlight the importance of wisdom to leaders.
Proverbs 8.14-16 (net)
Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me;
I possess understanding and might.
Kings reign by means of me,
and potentates decree righteousness;
Proverbs 8.14-16 (net)
Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me;
I possess understanding and might.
Kings reign by means of me,
and potentates decree righteousness;
by me princes rule,
as well as nobles and all righteous judges.
Lord, help me lead with wisdom.
as well as nobles and all righteous judges.
Lord, help me lead with wisdom.
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It is sobering that the two personifications in chapter nine start their appeals with the same words.
Proverbs 9:4&16
Wisdom:
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
Proverbs 9:4&16
Wisdom:
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him..."
A foolish woman:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here";
A foolish woman:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here";
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him..."
Lord, give me and my family the ears to hear Your call and the grace to respond to You with whole hearts.
Lord, give me and my family the ears to hear Your call and the grace to respond to You with whole hearts.
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This is a quadrant of sayings about how the things we say reflect on who we are.
Proverbs 10.18-21
18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of wisdom.
Lord, help my words to be few and "feed" many.
Proverbs 10.18-21
18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of wisdom.
Lord, help my words to be few and "feed" many.
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The righteous are a blessing to those around them.
Proverbs 11.9-11
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Lord, make me a righteous blessing.
Proverbs 11.9-11
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Lord, make me a righteous blessing.
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Next week will be 35 years with an excellent woman whose skill in her profession and home, tenacity and perseverance in difficulty, and heart for her children at school and home contribute to an extraordinary crown.
Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Lord, thank You for blessing me.
Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Lord, thank You for blessing me.
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Proverbs 13:2-3
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Lord, help me have fruitful and circumspect speech.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Lord, help me have fruitful and circumspect speech.
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I am thinking about the relationships between these traits of the simple and foolish.
Proverbs 14.15-16 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages* and is self-confident. * unrestrained, reckless Lord, help me be thoughtful, discerning, and reasonably cautious. |
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This pair of abominations sayings aim to identify the heart that pleases God. Sacrifice vrs real prayer and who (what the heart loves.
Proverbs 15.8-9
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.
Lord, help me really love You and what you love.
Proverbs 15.8-9
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.
Lord, help me really love You and what you love.
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Righteous old age brings the wisdom to remember that it is pointless to struggle against what God is doing and the understanding that there are few things worth getting upset over.
Proverbs 16.31-33 31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD. Lord, help me grow in wisdom and righteousness as I grow in age. |
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Good sense guides us in prudent ways to help a friend.
Proverbs 17.17-18
17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.
Lord, help me be a friend who loves faithfully and wisely.
Proverbs 17.17-18
17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.
Lord, help me be a friend who loves faithfully and wisely.
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Proverbs 18.4-5
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Since "deep waters" usually has a connotation of danger, so four is likely antithetical. And the second part of five gives a reason or result.
Lord, help my words to be a source of clear wisdom and just in their effect.
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These three sayings see an escalation from a lack of integrity to fretting or raging against the Lord.
Proverbs 9.1-3
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. 3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.
Lord, help me have the confidence in You to treasure my integrity.
|
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These two verses highlight the graceful wisdom of a teachable elder who no longer has to learn his lessons the hard way.
Proverbs 20.29-30
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
Lord, help me to have that wisdom long before I go gray.
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Talk is cheap. The Lord is watching, weighing, and rewarding in all I do, say, and think.
Proverbs 21.2-3
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Lord, help me "do righteousness and justice."
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Lord, help me "do righteousness and justice."
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This pair of sayings juxtaposes the derisive scoffer whom the king rejects with the pure and gracious person that he holds as a friend. (Waltke)
Proverbs 22.10-11 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. Lord, help me have the purity of heart and grace that makes me of value to the King. |
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Proverbs' "30 Sayings of the Wise" are typically 1-4 verses in length. This warning against the dangers of alcoholic drinks stands out as the longest of them all.
Proverbs 23.29-35 (net) 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness of the eyes? Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. Afterward it bites like a snake, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will speak perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging. You will say, "They have struck me, but I am not harmed! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake? I will look for another drink." |
Lord, keep me from anything that would compromise my witness and effectiveness for you.
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This is the 21st of the 30 Sayings of the Wise." It is a reminder that through wisdom, not violence, injustice, or "get-rich-quick" schemes a lasting house is built.
Proverbs 24.3-4
3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
Lord, help me apply and rely on your wisdom.
Proverbs 24.3-4
3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
Lord, help me apply and rely on your wisdom.
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Proverbs 25.13-14
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful* messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
*.H539 - 'aman: morally to be true or certain; (Niphal) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
In 20:6 the sage asks, "Who can find a faithful man?" Lord, give me the desire and ability to be that man.
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
*.H539 - 'aman: morally to be true or certain; (Niphal) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
In 20:6 the sage asks, "Who can find a faithful man?" Lord, give me the desire and ability to be that man.
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These three proverbs highlight the incompetence of a fool. (Verse 10 is apparently a very difficult verse to translate. I have used Bruce Waltke's translation.)
Proverbs 26.8-10 8. Like one who binds a stone in a sling is the person who gives honor to a fool. 9. A thornbush in the hand of a drunkard, and a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 10. An archer who pierces every passer-by, and one who hires a fool, and one who hires those who pass by. |
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A reminder not to rest on past accomplishments and grow complacent.
Proverbs 27.23-24 23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. Lord, help me apply this principle with renewed vigor this year. |
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These two sayings reinforce the danger of greed and injustice that can blind one to their ultimate futility.
Proverbs 28.21-22
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man with an evil eye*hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him
*greedy
Lord, give me a wholesome ambition that is always tempered by Your wisdom and justice.
Proverbs 28.21-22
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man with an evil eye*hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him
*greedy
Lord, give me a wholesome ambition that is always tempered by Your wisdom and justice.
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The impulsive rush to judgment that gives way to anger can also make one gullible to lies.
Proverbs 19.11-11
11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
Lord, give me the discernment and consistency to lead well.
Proverbs 19.11-11
11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
Lord, give me the discernment and consistency to lead well.
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There are some things that are as puzzling today as they were in Agur's day.
Proverbs 30.18-20
There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Yes, four which I do not understand:
The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the midst of the sea,
And the way of a man with a virgin.
This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, "I have done no wickedness."
I want a principle within of watchful godly fear.
A sensibility to sin, a pain to feel it near...
There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Yes, four which I do not understand:
The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the midst of the sea,
And the way of a man with a virgin.
This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, "I have done no wickedness."
I want a principle within of watchful godly fear.
A sensibility to sin, a pain to feel it near...
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Proverbs 31 is rightfully remembered as the description Lemuel's mother gave him of a virtuous wife, but it also includes instructions about being King. It is noteworthy that we see this theme in both parts.
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die. [or ensure justice for those being crushed.-- nlt]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
...
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die. [or ensure justice for those being crushed.-- nlt]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
...
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
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