Category Archives: Wisdom and Folly

All Knowing, Faith / Trusting God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Purposeful / Intentional, Study the Word, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Seeking Wisdom From The One Who Is Truly Wise

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Truly if you want wisdom, do not look to universities and degrees in higher learning, though those may have some value, but instead look to the Lord and ask Him humbly for the wisdom you seek. Pursue it in study of the scriptures and prayer and God will give it to you in the measure and time He deems appropriate.

Do not seek it though to accomplish your own plans and desires for you own glory, but the Lord’s plans for His glory through you. Do not ask for it expecting Him not to give it either, but rather expect and trust that He will grant what you ask.

2 Chronicles 1

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

     8Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9“Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” 13So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

James 1:5-8

    5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Seeking God, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Wisdom Without YHWH Is Futile

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The context of Ecclesiastes is important. If you are unfamiliar with the book, and read some excerpts you may draw the wrong conclusion. For example, reading Ecclesiastes 1 may lead you to think that wisdom is futile and not worth pursuing. This is not at all the case! We must realize the broader context of the book. Solomon is reflecting back on many things he has pursued in his life in looking for personal fulfillment. If we keep his ultimate conclusion in mind, we can better understand the context in which he says pursuing wisdom is like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

13The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Wisdom is good, but wisdom by itself, as a goal, is empty without the presence and purposes of YHWH. Man was created to live in relationship with the Father. Many try to fill this “whole” with other things like wisdom, power, money, sex, achievement, etc. However, nothing else can fill this whole that was designed to be filled by our relationship with the Father.  It is all like chasing the wind without Him.

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

The Futility of Wisdom

     12I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. 15What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.

      16I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.” 17And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 18Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.

Seek relationship with the Father. Pursue Him through Yeshua, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

John 14:6

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Love, Marriage, Wisdom and Folly, Wise, Worldliness

A Young Bride And Her Lover

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Why is it that when I go to write, or perhaps you to read, the title “A Young Bride and Her Lover” it brings to my mind that she is cheating on her husband with someone else? Our culture has corrupted the idea of sex and love in and outside of marriage. In fact, the reference is to a young bride and her husband, but our society has so damaged this image and tried to paint sex and love inside marriage as dull and boring and all manner of sinful exercise of sex outside marriage as somehow exciting. This is backwards. YHWH had it right and our culture often has it wrong.

Song of Solomon is an interesting book in the Bible to be sure. It is focused on a passionate relationship between a bride and her groom. So many people mischaracterize YHWH’s position on sexual relations, claiming He just has a long list of “do nots”. Dismissing or getting angry at YHWH for that is like getting mad at someone who makes hair dryers for putting the label on it that says “keep away from water”. The warnings and boundaries are there for your protection. YHWH invented the gift of sexual relationship between a man and a woman. He gave it to us as part of the marriage relationship. He created us to feel passion and excitement, but it is intended only for marriage of one man and one woman. Yes, it is supposed to be enjoyed in marriage!

As you read Song of Solomon, realize that it was first written in a different time, place and culture. Do not get tripped up over some of the references (e.g. “like the tents of Kedar”), but seek to understand the excitement and passion they felt for one another… the love they felt for one another.

Song of Solomon 1

The Young Shulammite Bride and Jerusalem’s Daughters

      1The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

      2“May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine.

      3“Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,
Your name is like purified oil;
Therefore the maidens love you.

      4“Draw me after you and let us run together!
The king has brought me into his chambers.”

“We will rejoice in you and be glad;
We will extol your love more than wine.
Rightly do they love you.”

      5“I am black but lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
Like the tents of Kedar,
Like the curtains of Solomon.

      6“Do not stare at me because I am swarthy,
For the sun has burned me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
They made me caretaker of the vineyards,
But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

      7“Tell me, O you whom my soul loves,
Where do you pasture your flock,
Where do you make it lie down at noon?
For why should I be like one who veils herself
Beside the flocks of your companions?”

Solomon, the Lover, Speaks

     8“If you yourself do not know,
Most beautiful among women,
Go forth on the trail of the flock
And pasture your young goats
By the tents of the shepherds.

      9“To me, my darling, you are like
My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.

      10“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
Your neck with strings of beads.”

      11“We will make for you ornaments of gold
With beads of silver.”

      12“While the king was at his table,
My perfume gave forth its fragrance.

      13“My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh
Which lies all night between my breasts.

      14“My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
In the vineyards of Engedi.”

      15“How beautiful you are, my darling,
How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are like doves.”

      16“How handsome you are, my beloved,
And so pleasant!
Indeed, our couch is luxuriant!

      17“The beams of our houses are cedars,
Our rafters, cypresses.

I feel it worthwhile to mention, that though Solomon was granted great wisdom by YHWH when He was young, He still made a significant mistake in embracing the concept of more than one wife and of concubines that was more common back then. It was a fail on his part and drew Him apart from YHWH as Solomon got older. We have the opportunity to learn from him what is good and reject the mistakes he made.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Diligent / Hard Worker, Giving, Help / Serve Others, Kindness / Gentleness, Marriage, Purposeful / Intentional, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Characteristics of Worthy Men and Women

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Neither a husband nor a wife can truly be evaluated as “great” or “worthy” by simply looking at their “careers” or “accomplishments” without first considering what kind of husband or wife they are and what kind of father or mother they are if they have children. How do they treat the poor and needy?

These are elements that must be valued far more than just another independent person who accomplishes much in the eyes of the world, but in they eyes of YHWH neglects their responsibilities for the family. Men may celebrate worldly accomplishments, but YHWH looks to see if we took care of our primary responsibilities to Him and to our family first.

Proverbs 31 is often quoted for its description of a worthy woman, but there is solid guidance for men as well in the first part which describes the advice of a mother to her son. Don’t dismiss these things as outdated because they are addressed to people thousands of years ago. Neither human nature nor YHWH have changed.   Rather consider how to update and apply the concepts in our lives today.

Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

       1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

      2What, O my son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?

      3Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

      4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

      5For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

      6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.

      7Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more.

      8Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.

      9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

     10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.

      11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

      12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

      13She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.

      14She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.

      15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.

      16She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

      17She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.

      18She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.

      19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.

      20She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

      21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

      22She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

      23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

      24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

      25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.

      26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

      27She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

      28Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

      29“Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”

      30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

      31Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

There is one more perspective through which we should consider these verses. For a man, consider if you measure up to the advice given to Lemuel. For a woman, consider how you measure up to the description of a “worthy woman”.  Take this as an opportunity to pray and reflect on whether there are any changes you should make in your life. Discuss it and pray over it with your spouse if you are married.

Do not submit to the world’s definition of greatness, but rather that of YHWH. Consider also how Yeshua described greatness.

Matthew 23:10-11

10“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Money / Finances / Wealth, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Who Has Established All The Ends Of The Earth?

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There is much wisdom in Proverbs. Digest it slowly rather than skimming it quickly for when a meal is consumed too quickly or amid too much distraction, one cannot long remember its taste.

Proverbs 30

The Words of Agur

      1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle.
The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

      2Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And I do not have the understanding of a man.

      3Neither have I learned wisdom,
Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

      4Who has ascended into heaven and descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name or His son’s name?
Surely you know!

      5Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

      6Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

      7Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:

      8Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,

      9That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

      10Do not slander a slave to his master,
Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.

      11There is a kind of man who curses his father
And does not bless his mother.

      12There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes,
Yet is not washed from his filthiness.

      13There is a kind—oh how lofty are his eyes!
And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.

      14There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords
And his jaw teeth like knives,
To devour the afflicted from the earth
And the needy from among men.

      15The leech has two daughters,
“Give,” “Give.”
There are three things that will not be satisfied,
Four that will not say, “Enough”:

      16Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, “Enough.”

      17The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young eagles will eat it.

      18There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Four which I do not understand:

      19The way of an eagle in the sky,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the middle of the sea,
And the way of a man with a maid.

      20This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, “I have done no wrong.”

      21Under three things the earth quakes,
And under four, it cannot bear up:

      22Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,

      23Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.

      24Four things are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:

      25The ants are not a strong people,
But they prepare their food in the summer;

      26The shephanim are not mighty people,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;

      27The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in ranks;

      28The lizard you may grasp with the hands,
Yet it is in kings’ palaces.

      29There are three things which are stately in their march,
Even four which are stately when they walk:

      30The lion which is mighty among beasts
And does not retreat before any,

      31The strutting rooster, the male goat also,
And a king when his army is with him.

      32If you have been foolish in exalting yourself
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.

      33For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Anger (unrighteous anger), Children, Faith / Trusting God, Greed, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Help / Serve Others, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Lying / Deceiving, Obeying God, Parenting, Peace / Rest, Self Control, Teachable, Tongue / Gossip / Slander, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly

When The Righteous Increase, The People Rejoice

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Let us pray for an increase of righteous, godly people in our churches, communities, states, nation, and across the world. Let us seek righteousness in God’s word and through relationship with Him. Do not pursue the deceptions of worldly teaching on what is righteous and what is wicked for Satan revels in deception as those that claim God all the while rebel against His ways.

Proverbs 29

Warnings and Instructions

       1A man who hardens his neck after much reproof
Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

      2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

      3A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

      4The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

      5A man who flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.

      6By transgression an evil man is ensnared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.

      7The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.

      8Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away anger.

      9When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

      10Men of bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright are concerned for his life.

      11A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.

      12If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.

      13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

      14If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.

      15The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

      16When the wicked increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.

      17Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also delight your soul.

      18Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.

      19A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.

      20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

      21He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.

      22An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

      23A man’s pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

      24He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the oath but tells nothing.

      25The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

      26Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.

      27An unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Family, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Generous, Giving, Greed, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Help / Serve Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Lying / Deceiving, Money / Finances / Wealth, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Righteousness / Serving God, Sin, Sloth / Laziness, Stealing / Theft, Strife, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Proverbs: A Manual For Living

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Proverbs is a manual for living. It is every bit as relevant today as it was when YHWH revealed it to Solomon. Read it slowly, one verse at a time and pause to reflect on the wisdom and how it applies in your life and the life of others today. Let it guide your path.

Proverbs 28

Warnings and Instructions

      1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

      2By the transgression of a land many are its princes,
But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

      3A poor man who oppresses the lowly
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

      4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law strive with them.

      5Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all things.

      6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

      7He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

      8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

      9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.

      10He who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.

      11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

      12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

      13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

      14How blessed is the man who fears always,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

      15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

      16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

      17A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

      18He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,
But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

      19He who tills his land will have plenty of food,
But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

      20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

      21To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

      22A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth
And does not know that want will come upon him.

      23He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

      24He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “It is not a transgression,”
Is the companion of a man who destroys.

      25An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

      26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

      27He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

      28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Money / Finances / Wealth, Righteousness / Serving God, Sin, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

He Who Tends The Fig Tree Will Eat Its Fruit

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Proverbs contains much wisdom. It still applies today. People have not changed and neither has YHWH. Read it, digest it, accept that it applies to you and you will grow wiser.

Proverbs 27

Warnings and Instructions

1Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

      2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.

3A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

4Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?

5Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.

6Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

7A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

8Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from his home.

9Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.

10Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me.

12A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.

13Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.

14He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be reckoned a curse to him.

15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;

16He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.

17Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.

18He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.

19As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man.

20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

21The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.

22Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

23Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;

24For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

26The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,

27And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Self Control, Sloth / Laziness, Strife, Tongue / Gossip / Slander, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Do Not Answer A Fool According To His Folly

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Wisdom for any age in which we deal with other people…

Proverbs 26

Similitudes, Instructions

     1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.

      2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not alight.

      3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.

      4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.

      5Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.

      6He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

      7Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

      8Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

      9Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

      10Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

      11Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.

      12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

      13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
A lion is in the open square!”

      14As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the sluggard on his bed.

      15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

      16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

      17Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

      18Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows and death,

      19So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking?”

      20For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

      21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

      22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

      23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

      24He who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he lays up deceit in his heart.

      25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.

      26Though his hatred covers itself with guile,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

      27He who digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

      28A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Gluttony, Humility, Kindness / Gentleness, Lying / Deceiving, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Tongue / Gossip / Slander, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Like An Ornament Of Fine Gold, So Is A Wise Reprover To A Listening Ear

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Ask the Spirit to enlighten the meaning and relevance of scripture to you each time you sit to read and reflect on scripture. He is counselor and guide. All scripture is still relevant and worthy for use in teaching and rebuking.

Proverbs 25

Similitudes, Instructions

      1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

      2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

      3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

      4Take away the dross from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

      5Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

      6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;

      7For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

      8Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?

      9Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,

      10Or he who hears it will reproach you,
And the evil report about you will not pass away.

      11Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

      12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

      13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

      14Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.

      15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

      16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

      17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.

      18Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow
Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

      19Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

      20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.

      21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

      22For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.

      23The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

      24It is better to live in a corner of the roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

      25Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.

      26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

      27It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

      28Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.