July 16, 2007

Proverbs 10-12
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1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16. A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20. They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23. The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

1. Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Thought for the day:
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The first nine chapters of Proverbs are filled with introductory material explaining the importance of wisdom. Beginning with chapter 10, much of the material consists of brief, one or two verse statements upon which we should base our lives and decisions. Several of these stand out to me from today's reading.

One of these is found in Proverbs 10:18-20. Here Solomon warns concerning the use of the tongue. He cautions in verse 18 about both lying and slandering. These are two opposites, and it is interesting that he places them in the same verse. In both cases the speaker hates the one about whom he is talking. However, in the first case he flatters him to cover up his hatred, and in the second instance he slanders him, revealing his hatred. In both situations he is referred to as being a fool. His first problem is his hatred, and his second problem is his refusal to handle his problem with the other person Scripturally. Rather than deal with it one on one as he should, he either covers it or spouts off about it to all who will hear. Solomon follows this with a warning that the more someone talks, the more trouble they get themselves into. It is wise (19) to keep your mouth shut; certainly at least until you know the facts (Prov. 18:13), have your anger under control (Ecc. 7:9), and your answer intelligently and Biblically thought out (Prov. 15:28). In verse 20 he points out that a righteous man's words will be a blessing to those that hear him, but the words of the wicked, which proceed from his heart (Matt. 12:34), serve no value. As a side note, the emphasis of this passage is our speech, but this last phrase shows the importance of choosing who we listen to. Have you noticed that the unsaved world always wants to get the opinion of movie stars, rock singers, and sports figures? These are the great "authorities" of our day. Yet as unsaved people their opinions have virtually no value. What do I care what an unsaved person thinks about something? Why should I allow him to influence my opinions or my purchasing selections? Many Christians are also duped by theological liberals, or even unsaved religious figures. Someone writes a book, and Christians flock to here what he has to say. If he isn't right with the Lord, the words that he speaks are of minimal importance to the child of God. This leads directly into verse 21. If men would listen to the words of righteous people they would prosper. However, the fool ignores the wisdom of the godly, choosing rather to dote upon the prattle of the Biblically inept, and dies spiritually because he never receives the wisdom that he could have gotten. Be wise as to what you say and whose advice you take!

A second verse that stands out to me is found in Proverbs 11:22. There Solomon writes,

"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion."

Pastor Mark J Montgomery