but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 Good people leave an inheritance for their children's children,
but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Those who spare the rod hate their children,
but those who love them are careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts' content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Questions to consider:
- Compare verse 14 with 10:11
- Locate and explain the metaphors.
- How can you develop wisdom.
- Just for fun (again) choose a proverb to memorize.
Possibilities for prayer:
Again I am struck by the beauty and wisdom in Solomon’s words. Verse 23 speaks of the potential of a field to bring about good things for those less fortunate, but the fact that injustice so often gets in the way and destroys potential. Today, let’s ask for hearts for justice, hearts that cry out for the weak and needy, and have a deep desire to bring about justice in this world. God has a heart for the broken and helpless--let’s ask that more of that heart be shared with us; that we would be able to see potential around us and bring that potential to fulfillment.
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