Have you read any of these Proverbs that you do not agree with? Chapter 19 begins with a poor man with integrity being better off than someone who is deceitful and a fool. “Wealth attracts. many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.” This is the kind of action by the Jewish community that is condemned in the Prophets. Mistreatment of the poor is condemned.

The Lord credits kindness to the poor as a loan. You will receive a reward for it. The poor man is better than a liar.

Zeal is to be admired except in those who do not know anything about what they are zealous about. Those who act hastily can be involved in sin. Foolishness can lead us astray. Respect of the Lord will lead to easy sleep.

Often in these verses we are told that the unrighteous will reap appropriate punishment. A false witness will be punished. Liars will not escape. Discipline your son before he is too old to learn from it. Verse eighteen reminds us that a son who will not be disciplined can be executed by words from his parents.

Friendship can be purchased. Those with influence seem to have more admirers than the poor. They have few people who will stand up for them. Laziness induces sleep and the lazy go hungry because they will not work. Don’t be so lazy that you won’t even feed yourself.

Wives are complimented and insulted both in these proverbs? A quarrelsome wife is like a leaky roof. A prudent one is from the Lord.

Great anger brings a penalty and one who attempts to rescue them must repeat their actions. Wise council will bring wisdom to you as you grow older. The Lord’s plan is better than our own. The discerning learns from rebuke.

A shameful son will assault his father and throw his mother out of his house. Instruction continues to keep us on the road to wisdom. A worthless witness distorts justice. Mockers will receive judgement. Fools will be beaten.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Are you an unfriendly person? Proverbs 18 tells us that they pursue selfish ends and start quarrels. Sickness can be spiritual but who can survive a broken spirit?

Many comparisons are made between the foolish and the wise. The foolish want to show off their opinions and their mouths get them into trouble. Giving an answer before listening is foolish. A gossip lives on the words they spread.

Discernment brings knowledge and the wise seek it.

The wicked draw contempt, dishonor, and disgrace.

Speech is again described as deep waters, a flowing river, and a fountain of wisdom. Offense makes us hard to reach and quarrels create a fortress. The products of our lips provide us with nourishment. Therefore life and death are in the power of our tongues.

Don’t show partiality to the guilty and pervert justice. Humility comes before honor.  A gift opens doors and makes one great. You think you are right until someone questions us.

Laziness and vandalism are alike. Your wife is a good thing and brings you the favor of the Lord.

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower.” It is where we go for protection. He is the friend who is closer than a brother. Many friends can be harmful.

Wealth are the walls of a fortified city. It provides security. The poor pleads while the rich answer roughly.

Proverbs 17 begins by reminding us that wealth in a family of strife is not beneficial. Bribes are seen in a positive light by those who give them. Sometimes our loving actions can separate friends.

A disgraceful son should be brought back into the family. Grandchildren are a blessing as parents should be to their children. Children that are foolish bring no joy to their parents. They bring grief and bitterness.

The Lord refines His children with fire like silver and gold. Criticism is a positive action for the discerning. A friend always loves, and a brother is there for the rough times.

Ho can you determine the truth about someone. Are lies a common thing with them? Mocking and teasing is a dead giveaway for wicked people. Rebellion against God will end in eternal death.

Our speech indicates our character. Paying back evil for good will result in evil. Drop a dispute before starting a quarrel. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent are both detested by the Lord.

Buying wisdom will not benefit the foolish. The senseless cosign loans for strangers. Use words with restraint and remain even-tempered. Again we end with the idea of being silent to keep others from hearing our foolish talk.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger

We plan things in our hearts and can give proper answers from the Lord. We make plans and He establishes our steps. Righteousness is its own gain. Honest weights and scales belong to Jehovah.

We all believe that what we do is correct, but Proverbs 16 tells us that Yahweh looks at our motives. He judges us by them. He does not care about superficial actions or religious actions and preferences.

Are you committing what you do to the Lord and following His plans? Guarding your ways will preserve your life. Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Everything will work to the end that Yahweh has planned for it. Enemies make peace with those who follow the Lord’s way. Proud hearts will not go unpunished.

Love and faithfulness will atone for our sins. When He sees these, He takes pleasure in us and protects us. Our trust in Him brings blessings. A last verse deals with using a device to gain the knowledge of what is the desire of God.

Kings speak as an oracle, detest evil, prefer honesty, and have the power of life and death. Instruction from the Lord prospers us. Prudence is a fountain of life. Gracious words are sweet to the soul. A right path may end in death.

Our hunger drives us to work for a living. Evil men speak fire. The perverse stir up conflict and separate friends. The violent entice others. Blinking the eye and pursing the lips indicate perversity and evil.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor. Patience and self-control are better than fighting. Casting a lot can determine God’s will.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Anger is something many of us deal with regularly. Proverbs 15 tells us that a soft answer will diffuse it. Harsh words stir it up.

Is your tongue wise or foolish? It can also be a tree of life. The wise spread knowledge. Your knowledge is known by the answers that you give.

The Lord watches all of us. Love and digestion are also referred to.     

Again, we are told that accepting correction is sensible. Discipline can be harsh and the one who hates it will die. Those who don’t want correction will not ask for advice. Good council and lack of advice are talked about once again. Listening to rebukes will make you wise. If you despise yourself, you ignore discipline.

Trouble comes with the wealth of the wicked. Joy and sadness are also discussed. A cheerful heart has a constant feast. Joy comes with a timely answer. Dishonest profits trouble a household. Bright eyes cheer a heart.

The fear of the Lord is not just the beginning of wisdom. It is taught by wisdom. Humility comes before honor.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

These Proverbs speak mostly to men, but in Chapter fourteen we read about the wise and the foolish woman. Are you building your family or tearing them down? Proud speech brings discipline. Wisdom protects us.

Respect of the Lord brings integrity as well as wisdom. An honest witness does not deceive and can save lives. Another word for the wise is perceptive. We can learn nothing from the foolish. Consider where you are going to stay on track.

Oxen can eat a lot, but they also can pay for their food with work. Paying people back is not considered an option for a fool. Our opinion about our actions do not make them correct.

Sharing our joy and heartache is mentioned in verses ten and 12. Sometimes, what we think is right leads to death. The patient will have understanding. Caution and carelessness are contradictory. Inexperience leads to foolishness.

Neighbors who hate the poor sin. We also need to be kind to them. Our plans can be good or evil. Hard work is profitable but try to avoid being overly vocal. Our tempers and jealousy can be a hazard to us. We aren’t the only ones that benefit from our wisdom and good deeds.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Many of the Proverbs in chapter 13 deal with the same topics as previous chapters. A wise son follows his father’s discipline. The rod is a useful tool for discipline.

Mocker, treacherous, slacker, wicked, arrogant, contemptuous, stupid, and sinner are words that are used as opposites of wise, righteous, diligent, respectful, or sensible.

Again, we are told to guard what we say to prevent ruin. The New Testament warns us of the problems our tongues can cause. So, does Proverbs. Wicked or trustworthy messengers are also contrasted.

Rich and poor are another of the opposites we read about. Wealth can be obtained by fraud or by labor. An inheritance for grandchildren is wise. Wealth with no one to leave it for is not. We should eat until we are satisfied then stop.

Hope is another idea embraced here. Fulfilled hopes gives us life. Dashed desires bring depression. The wants of good people will be delivered, but those who are only serving themselves will be disappointed. 

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

In Proverbs 12, it calls the person who hates correction stupid. What does it mean to be good? We all know what it means to scheme. If you are righteous your root is immovable. Wickedness will not make you secure.

Is your wife or husband a crown or do they cause your bones to rot?  Caring about the health of your animals shows the type of person you are. Working hard means that you will be able to eat. The lazy will not even prepare their own food.

Insight is another way wisdom is displayed. Listening to council show wisdom. Ignoring insults is also sensible. Rebellious speech will trap one. Good words will satisfy and cheer you up. Truth is forever while lying disappears in an instant.

Don’t let others think that you are more important than you are. Verse 23 states in differently from “It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.”  

We see many comparisons of the wicked and the righteous. How can you judge wickedness and righteousness? By their deceitfulness or honesty in advice. Our words are also an indicator of whether we obey God or seek our own profit.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

We are looking at dualities and opposites again in Proverbs 11. Honesty and integrity begin the chapter. The wicked fall as the blameless continue their road. Our treachery will cage us. The wicked go into trouble and tear down the community. The guidance of many councilors delivers us.

Pride is another theme that recurs in Proverbs. Humility is the converse of it and wisdom comes from humility. A man with understanding remains silent. The foolish Show contempt. If you look for trouble you will find it.

Let’s talk about what this chapter says about wealth. On the day of the Lord righteousness will rescue us while money will not. Hope placed in wealth will disappear. Signing as security for a stranger will bring suffering. Empty wages are earned by those who are evil. Giving freely leads to more funds and greed hurts the poor.  

Jehovah and man are another topic that is discussed. We should not place our hope in mankind, but in the Lord. Often it appears that our relationship with Yahweh can be seen in how we respond to others around us.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Proverbs 10 begins with a wise son bringing joy to his father and a foolish boy gives his mother heartache. Once again, we look at many different sayings that come in pairs. The righteous will not be hungry. He denies the wicked what they want. Getting something without working for it is worthless. Hard work is its own reward. Walk in integrity and you will be secure. The pervert will be found out. A sly wink and foolish lips will cause grief and destruction. A righteous mouth is life, and the wicked mouth conceals violence.

Hatred causes conflicts and love covers up our sins. This means that God’s love from His Son will blot them out. The discerning speak wisdom and those without sense will be punished. Wisdom brings knowledge and foolishness destruction. Wealth is a fortified city.

Life is for those who follow instruction, fear the Lord, and know what is appropriate. Rejecting correction, concealing hatred, speak too much, struggle, and act shamefully will pay for their sins.

Many things are said about the righteous. They are blessed by Jehovah. Life comes from right living. They delight in wisdom. Their hope is joy. Solomon src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/bvE77pKHcMw” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write;

contradicts the saying “Only the good die young” in verse twenty-seven when he states the fear of the Lord prolongs life.

The slacker is like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes. Destruction awaits the malicious. A perverse tongue will be cut out which what the wicked say. The contradictory phrases make it easier to understand.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger