Thursday, May 19, 2016

Proverbs 10:19, 21

“Too much talk leads to sin. 
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

The words of the godly encourage many, 
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.”

Proverbs 10:19, 21 NLT

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Proverbs 10:7

“We have happy memories of the godly, 
but the name of a wicked person rots away.”
Proverbs 10:7 NLT

Certain people's names won't disappear from world history, or personal memory.
However, the emotional impact might be different. The memory of the godly will continue to bless and encourage, while the memory of the wicked will fade in its intensity.

Certain Proverbs are tricky to process and interpret correctly, and this is one of them. But this interpretation is where I suppose I "land"... It's not an absolute, sweeping promise, but a general statement of how things tend to be.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Proverbs 10:4-5

“Lazy people are soon poor; 
hard workers get rich. 

A wise youth harvests in the summer, 
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”
Proverbs 10:4-5 NLT

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Proverbs 10:12

“Hatred stirs up quarrels, 
but love makes up for all offenses.”
Proverbs 10:12 NLT

Paul would agree...without love, I am a clanging gong or a crashing symbol (1 Cor 13).

Proverbs 10:9

“People with integrity walk safely, 
but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.”
Proverbs 10:9 NLT

This relates to the concept (is it a proverb itself?) of telling the truth, then not having to remember what the truth really is, as opposed to having to remember lots of lies and who was told what.

Proverbs 10:5

“A wise youth harvests in the summer, 
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”
Proverbs 10:5 NLT

It is sometimes difficult to balance this with the need for legitimate, appropriate rest.

Proverbs 9:10-12

“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. 
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 
Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. 
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”
Proverbs 9:10-12 NLT

I initially decided to not include proverbs verses that I would merely flag "wisdom", because that would wind up including nearly every verse in Proverbs, many of which aren't nearly as impactful as the rest.
However, these two verses are much more significant than most about wisdom, so I had to note them.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Proverbs 6:30-35

“Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 
But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. 

But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. 
He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. 

For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 
He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.”
Proverbs 6:30-35 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.6.30-35.nlt

Proverbs 6:24-29

“It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. 
Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. 
Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 
So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 6:24-29 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.6.24-29.nlt

Proverbs 6:6-11

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! 
Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. 

But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? 
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”
Proverbs 6:6-11 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.6.6-11.nlt

Proverbs 6:1-5

“My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. 

Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 

Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.”
Proverbs 6:1-5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.6.1-5.nlt

Proverbs 5:15-23

“Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 
You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. 
Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 

Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 
An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.”
Proverbs 5:15-23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.5.15-23.nlt

Friday, May 6, 2016

Proverbs 4:23

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.4.23.nlt

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Proverbs 3:27-28

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.””
Proverbs 3:27-28 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.3.27-28.nlt

Proverbs 3:7-8

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.3.7-8.nlt

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.3.5-6.nlt

Proverbs 3:3-4

“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.”
Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.3.3-4.nlt