1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
I need to love discipline and correction.
2 Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
Need to do another study on what does “Good” mean in the Bible.
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
Righteous can help you become established and rooted.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Marry someone of noble character. Help your wife become noble. Need to study nobility.
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
Plans that are just are righteous.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.
Words of the upright can save you. Righteousness can protect you.
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
Prudence is praised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
Be a nobody and wealthy than a somebody and broke.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Take care of your animals.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
Work with the talents God has given you. This is another scripture to study.
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
Righteousness endures.
13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
Innocent people speak few words.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
and the work of their hands brings them reward.
Words and work can be of value.
15 The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.
Wise people listen to advice.
16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Prudent people overlook an insult. This one is hard for me.
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.
I’m not sure why this scripture is in here. I thought something like this is pretty obvious.
18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Wisdom brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Truth lasts forever. Lies will be found out.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
Promote peace and you will have joy.
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
Righteous are protected.
22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
The Lord delights in trustworthy people who tell the truth.
23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Prudent keep their knowledge to themselves. I don’t know what to make of this scripture. Does it mean not to share?
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
Diligent people will rule. Lazy people will be slaves.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
Kind words can cheer people up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Choose your friends wisely. I didn’t even realize there was a specific proverb for this even though I’ve read proverbs like 10 times now. Learn something new every time.
27 The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Diligent enjoy the process of life.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.
Righteousness leads to life and immortality.
Practical Items: I need to look a little deeper into the Bible and study some of these out. I will after I am finished with Proverbs.