but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD,
but he whose ways are devious despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good man rewarded for his.
15 A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
Questions to consider:
- Contrast the attitudes toward God in this chapter.
- What is significant about the emotions revealed here?
- What are the rewards for the upright? consequences for the wicked?
- Memorize a proverb. :)
Possibilities for prayer:
It’s so interesting to me that as we progress through this book we continue to encounter things that are just as true today as they were hundreds of years ago when they were written. Verse 13 reminds us that we need to truly embrace the good things that come our way, to make the most of the joy that we encounter in our lives because it may not last forever. Today, let’s say a special prayer of thanks for the good things, for the joy that we have encountered in our lives. Let’s also ask that we are able to appreciate future times of joy, that we might be able to fully enter into those moments.
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