I missed yesterday! Argh!
I’m just going to accept the fact that I’m not perfect. I’m going to make mistakes and never reach the perfection that I want.
1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Building and creating is wise.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
Fear the Lord and walk upright. Upright = honor.
3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
Be humble and wise. You will be protected.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
What? Google’d it. The Meaning of Proverbs 14:4. There are pros and cons to everything. I thought the same thing. Where did this scripture come from.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
How do you tell if someone is honest? If they are honest in the small things they will most likely be honest with the big things and vice versa.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Discerning = Showing good judgment. How to get good judgement? Be wise. How to be wise? Fear God.
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
Reminds me of being careful with the friends you choose.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
Wisdom of prudent people are who reflect and strategically live their lives.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
Goodwill = grace: a disposition to kindness and compassion. That’s how you find the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
Google’d. The heart knows both bitterness and joy. What will I choose?
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
Upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
Google’d. Carelessness and pride seem to be right, but they aren’t.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
The heart knows laughter, ache, rejoice, and grief. It’s okay to experience all of these emotions. What matters is how will I respond?
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
The good will be rewarded for their good ways. For every action there is an equal consequence.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
Prudent people give thought to their actions. I need to start planning wisely.
16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
Wisdom = Fear the Lord and shun evil. Shun = avoid.
17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
Peaceful people are smart. People who do good are loved.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Prudent are knowledgeable.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The evil will acknowledge Godly people.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
Rich people have friends. If you have one friend you are rich. If you have more than one friend you are more rich.
21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Blessed people are kind to the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
Plan good = find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Work brings value. Talk does not.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.
Wealth is the product of wisdom.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.
Truth saves lives.
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
Fearing God will protect you and your children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
Fearing God will save your life.
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.
A large organization is to your glory. Take care of your people.
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Patience = great understanding.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
Peace gives life.
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Honor God by being kind to the needy.
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
Death comes to everyone. The righteous seek refuge in God.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.
Reposes: place something especially confidence or trust. Wisdom is in the heart of the discerning.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
Righteousness exalts organizations.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
People delight in wise servants.
I love the Bible and I love business, psychology, marketing, and self-help books. I find so many overlaps between the two.
Practical Action: Do my quiet time on Saturday!
