Along The Way (June 23rd -June 29th)
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June 23rd
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Proverbs 13
A wise child loves discipline,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
those who open wide their lips come to ruin.
The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing,
while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.
The righteous hate falsehood,
but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.
Righteousness guards one whose way is upright,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing;
others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.
Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life,
but a poor person pays no attention to a rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoices,
but the lamp of the wicked goes out.
By insolence the empty-headed person makes strife,
but wisdom is with those who take advice.
Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle,
but those who gather little by little will increase it.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Those who despise a word bring destruction on themselves,
but those who respect a command will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.
Good sense wins favor,
but the way of the faithless is their ruin.
The clever do all things intelligently,
but the fool displays folly.
A bad messenger brings trouble,
but a faithful envoy, healing.
Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,
but one who heeds reproof is honored.
A desire realized is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools suffers harm.
Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
The field of the poor may yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
Those who spare the rod hate their children,
but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.
The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,
but the belly of the wicked is empty.
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Proverbs chapter 13 emphasizes that the wise do not mind discipline, but scoffers do. The author attacks aimless blabbering, uncontrolled appetites, and falsehood. Some people pretend to be rich, but are poor, while people who pretend to be poor or seem to be are often truly rich and it can be taken literally, metaphorically, or as in spiritually or emotionally poor or both.
June 24th
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Proverbs 14
The wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
but one who is devious in conduct despises him.
The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,
but the lips of the wise preserve them.
Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not find words of knowledge.
It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
but the folly of fools misleads.
Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy God’s favor.
The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
The house of the wicked is destroyed,
but the tent of the upright flourishes.
There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart is sad,
and the end of joy is grief.
The perverse get what their ways deserve,
and the good, what their deeds deserve.
The simple believe everything,
but the clever consider their steps.
The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.
One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
and the schemer is hated.
The simple are adorned with folly,
but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the poor.
Do not those who plan evil err?
Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but folly is the garland of fools.
A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and one’s children will have a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.
The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
without people a prince is ruined.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but jealousy makes the bones rot.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.
The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.
Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
but it is not known in the heart of fools.
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
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Proverbs chapter 14 points out the consequences of wisdom, in contrast to the consequences of foolishness - foolishness, defined as a rejection of God's truth and instruction that leads to disaster. The chapter also emphasizes that those who wallow in such self-deception should be avoided. The deceptive nature of sin can make rejecting God seem like a good idea, but the end result is tragedy. Those who follow Godliness are at less risk of negative earthly consequences. They are also blessed with an eternal rescue. In either case, that which a person chooses - selfishness or Godliness is repaid to them. Some of the important themes of this chapter are the importance of self-control, the danger of gullibility, the need to apply justice fairly to all, the benefits of a contented heart, and the cultural value of Godly wisdom.
June 25th
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Proverbs 15
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
one who hates a rebuke will die.
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more human hearts!
Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
but those who are slow to anger calm contention.
The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
A wise child makes a glad father,
but the foolish despise their mothers.
Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.
Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.
To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
and a word in season, how good it is!
For the wise the path of life leads upward,
in order to avoid Sheol below.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.
The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honor.
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Proverbs chapter 15 reminds us that when we answer people in a kind way, it stops them being angry. But when we say cruel things, it makes people angry. Also, when wise people speak, they show that knowledge is good. But when fools speak, they only say foolish things. A soft answer turns away wrath meaning that when people come to us in wrath, we are often tempted to be harsh in response. Wisdom shows us the value of a soft answer, one without sharp edges or points. That kind of answer can actually turn away wrath.
June 26th
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Proverbs 16
The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, they will not go unpunished.
By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
When the ways of people please the Lord,
he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
Better is a little with righteousness
than large income with injustice.
The human mind plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.
Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves those who speak what is right.
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and whoever is wise will appease it.
In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their way preserve their lives.
Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
The wise of heart is called perceptive,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but folly is the punishment of fools.
The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
but in the end it is the way to death.
The appetite of workers works for them;
their hunger urges them on.
Scoundrels concoct evil,
and their speech is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
The violent entice their neighbors
and lead them in a way that is not good.
One who winks the eyes plans perverse things;
one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is the Lord’s alone.
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Proverbs chapter 16 reminds that it is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than sharing the spoil with the proud. It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly because pride is an abomination to God and leads to destruction, it isn't so bad to live among the lowly and to have a humble spirit.
June 27th
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Proverbs 9
June 20
Wisdom’s Feast
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her female servants; she calls
from the highest places in the town,
“You who are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
General Maxims
Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.
Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.
Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
Folly’s Invitation and Promise
The foolish woman is loud;
she is ignorant and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the high places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
“You who are simple, turn in here!”
And to those without sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
But they do not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
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In Proverbs chapter 17, the author points out the value of a true friend and a brother. He says a true friend is always loving, and a brother helps in trying times. A true friend and genuine brother exhibit true love in unfavorable circumstances as well as in favorable ones.
In Proverbs chapter 18, the author points out the value of a true friend and a brother. He says a true friend is always loving, and a brother helps in trying times. A true friend and genuine brother exhibit true love in unfavorable circumstances as well as in favorable ones.
June 28th
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Proverbs 19
Better the poor walking in integrity
than one perverse of speech who is a fool.
Desire without knowledge is not good,
and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.
One’s own folly leads to ruin,
yet the heart rages against the Lord.
Wealth brings many friends,
but the poor are left friendless.
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and a liar will not escape.
Many seek the favor of the generous,
and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.
If the poor are hated even by their kin,
how much more are they shunned by their friends!
When they call after them, they are not there.
To get wisdom is to love oneself;
to keep understanding is to prosper.
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and the liar will perish.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.
Those with good sense are slow to anger,
and it is their glory to overlook an offense.
A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
A stupid child is ruin to a father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
House and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Laziness brings on deep sleep;
an idle person will suffer hunger.
Those who keep the commandment will live;
those who are heedless of their ways will die.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord
and will be repaid in full.
Discipline your children while there is hope;
do not set your heart on their destruction.
A violent-tempered person will pay the penalty;
if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom for the future.
The human mind may devise many plans,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.
What is desirable in a person is loyalty,
and it is better to be poor than a liar.
The fear of the Lord is life indeed;
filled with it one rests secure
and suffers no harm.
The lazy person buries a hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to the mouth.
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.
Those who do violence to their father and chase away their mother
are children who cause shame and bring reproach.
My child, stop ignoring instruction,
straying from words of knowledge.
A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Punishments are prepared for scoffers
and flogging for the backs of fools.
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In Proverbs chapter 19 we learn that a poor person is better than a liar: This proverb shows that kindness, though valuable, is not the only virtue. To be a man or woman of truth, to not be a liar is also of great value. The chapter also focuses on respect for God's will and the disastrous results of ignoring it. Following the Lord's will is by far the most sensible way to pursue life. Even the inexperienced person should be able to see what happens when people defy God. A person who refuses to learn, even a wise person who decides to stop learning is inviting difficulty to their own life.
June 29th
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Proverbs 12
June 22
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.
The good obtain favor from the Lord,
but those who devise evil he condemns.
No one finds security by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
One is commended for good sense,
but a perverse mind is despised.
Better to be despised and have produce
than to be self-important and lack food.
The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.
The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
but the righteous escape from trouble.
From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labor has its reward.
Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to advice.
Fools show their anger at once,
but the prudent ignore an insult.
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
Rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.
No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
One who is clever conceals knowledge,
but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.
The righteous are released from misfortune,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
The lazy do not roast their game,
but the diligent obtain precious wealth.
In the path of righteousness there is life;
in walking its path there is no death.
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Proverb chapter 20 reminds us that what people say isn't always what they believe, and people will speak falsehood for their own advantage. We are cautioned not to see the value of material things and wealth, but we need to better appreciate the value of wise words.