I’m deflated. I missed several days. Combination of Lunar holiday in Korea and returning to my old self of laziness and lethargy.
After I finish Proverbs I think I’m going to switch to deeper studies that can be packaged into reports or Quiet Time Series – I think that may be more valuable than my ramblings.
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Words are powerful. Speak gently.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Wise people speak with knowledge.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
God watches everyone. He probably has an amazing database system.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Again words are powerful. Might as well let your words give life.
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Learn from correction = prudence.
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
Righteous people have great treasure.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
Lips of the wise spread knowledge.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Prayer of the upright pleases God.
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
God loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
If you hate correction you will die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!
Googling. God sees everything and naturally human hearts.
12 Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
Wise people stick with wise people.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
Happy heart makes makes happy people.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
Discerning people seek knowledge.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Cheerful heart will have continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
Best to have great wealth and fear of the Lord. If you can’t at least little with fear of the Lord.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Patience calms quarrels.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
Upright people get things faster, easier, and better.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
A wise man brings joy to his parents.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
Keep straight on the course if you are understanding.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Many advisers a plan will succeed.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
Words are powerful and so is timing.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
Life for the prudent.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
God protects the weak.
26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
Gracious words are pure.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
Accept gifts and not bribes. Bribes are when your decision can be swayed by a gift.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Think before you speak.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
God listens to the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
Good news gives health.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
Listen to life-giving correction and live with the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Discipline and correction gain understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
Fear the Lord and be humble. It’s good for you.
Practical Action: So much to learn and so little time.
