Day 158—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.
Day 158 – Proverbs 13 – 15. (More of Solomon’s general wisdom proverbs)
Chapter 13 again begins with the pride of a father’s wise son. The following pithy, interesting, thought-provoking proverbs cover work, laziness, the mouth or tongue, wealth, and discipline.
13:3 “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
13:4, 11 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
13:12, 19 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” “A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”
13:13-14, 24 “Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
13:20. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Chapter 14 is eclectic in its topics, but is consistent in its comparisons. 14:1 “The wisest of women builders her house, BUT folly with her own hands tears it down.” 14:4 “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, BUT abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” And notice in 14:11 who has a house and who, a tent. “The HOUSE of the wicked will be destroyed, BUT the TENT of the upright will flourish.”
14:17, 29-30 “A man of quick temper acts foolishly…” “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
And two very familiar proverbs:
14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
There are many familiar proverbs in Chapter 15 as well, on speaking, praying, cheer, and good temper.
15:1, 4 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
15:13, 15, 30 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.” All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.”
15:16, 17 “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is that a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
15:8, 29 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him.” “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
And remember, PROVERBS are general rules on righteous living, NOT promises, prophecy, or law.