Be careful of bragging about things that have not happened yet is in Proverbs 27. Praise should come from others not ourselves. This praise helps make us better.

We look again at a definition of fool. The stress brought on by them is heavier than a stone or sand. Grinding a fool will not separate him from his foolishness. Wisdom from your children brings happiness. Again, we are advised to be careful of putting up security for someone.

Jealousy is worse than cruelty or anger. Reprimands are better than concealing love. Wounds from a friend are trustworthy and kisses from an enemy are another use of opposite phrases in this proverb. Hunger makes us accept anything to eat and a satisfied person doesn’t even want sweets.

Why would a man wander from his home? Sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel and oil and incense can give you the boost you need. Friends can be better than family if they are close by.  

Friendship is to be cherished especially in those who are close. We are to help our friends improve.  You’ve heard the saying that someone isn’t smart enough to come in out of the rain. That is another way to express verse 12.

Even a blessing that is yelled can be taken as a curse. Iron sharpens iron and a good man improves another good man. Tending a fruit tree as like serving others. Both will be a blessing. Our heart reflects who we are as sure as we can see ourselves in water or a mirror.

A nagging wife is likened to an endless dripping. Controlling her is like guiding the wind or grabbing with a handful of oil. Do not be one who is never satisfied. Fine metals can be refined just as praise from you will make you better.

Our wealth depends on how much hard work and attention we give to our jobs. Hay must be gathered to allow more to grow and wool from sheep can buy more land. Even goats can provide milk to feed a family. It requires a female though.

©Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger

Proverbs 25 may sound familiar. These are from Solomon but compiled during the time of Hezekiah. God can conceal a matter and a king can investigate it.  

Wise judgment is like gold and silver. They all three need to be refined. Patience, temperance, and self-control are praised. Remove wickedness from your presence in the same way precious metals are refined.

Bragging about yourself to anyone is not the proper type of action for those who are trying to be humble. Demotion by others can be painful. Humility can also come from a court case that is entered into prematurely.

Words that are expressed at the proper time are extremely valuable. Wise correction is also like an ornament of gold. A trustworthy messenger is like refreshing snow. Boasting about a gift that you did not receive is as worthless as clouds and wind without rain. Do not overeat sweets because that will make you sick. We are also warned not to wear out our welcome with friends and neighbors. This also includes family.

One of the worst weapons we can wield against others is falsehood and unreliability. I do not agree that music is not comforting to a troubled person. Giving an enemy food and drink to punish them is quoted by Jesus in the gospels and Paul in his letters.

A north wind gives rain, a back biting tongue brings angry looks, good news is like cold water, and a good person who yields is like a polluted well. Avoid the nagging wife and losing your temper.

©Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger

Diet is dealt with in Proverbs 23. Dining with the wealthy requires some discretion to prevent health problems. If you eat too much, it may be held against you. A greedy person is another example of someone not to dine with.

Wealth tends to take wings and fly. Hard work for money may not pay off the way you want it to. Don’t waste your time talking to a fool. They do not listen.

Wisdom, instruction, and understanding should be kept and not ignored. Promises of good fortune for the obedient are also given. Prostitutes are a deep pit and narrow well. They lie in ambush for those who are unfaithful.

Discipline yourself by listening to words of knowledge. Withholding discipline from a youth or child will not lead to their death. If your heart is wise, your father will rejoice over you using appropriate language. Keep your mind on the correct course.

Avoid drinking to excess and associating with those that do. Do you have problems that are associated with alcoholism and drinking in excess? Conflicts, complaints, wounds, red eyes, strange sights, shaking beds, and other problems are a few listed here. Alcohol bites like a snake.

What does it mean to have a good name? Proverbs 22 tells us that it is better than wealth. To be well thought of is better than silver or gold. Both the rich and the poor were created by the Lord.

Are you sensible? Then you take cover when you see danger. Those who are not experienced with continue despite danger. This does not consider military or first responders who are trained to enter dangerous situation.

The result of humility is the fear of the Lord. Wealth, honor, and life are also caused by respect for Jehovah. We need to remain faithful to Him to show our children what is correct. The results of this are shown later.

Thorns and snares are on the path of the crooked. Stay far from these and guard yourself. Borrowing makes us a slave or servant to the one that loans to us. This is usually the rich helping the poor.

The generous will be blessed for sharing with the less fortunate. Be careful how you treat both the poor and the wealthy. God will plunder those who oppress the indigent. Be aware of the danger of entering into financial agreements.

Verse six is the one many quote about children that are raised in the fear and admonition of God. Many believe that their children will never rebel. This verse does not say that. It tells the parent that eventually they will return to what they were taught.

Sowing injustice will reap disaster. Your rod of fury will be destroyed.  Mockers create conflict, quarreling, and dishonor. They create excuses to avoid work. Avoid being friends with angry people. Their attitude can be infectious.

Leaders appreciate those who love a pure heart and gracious lips. God watches over knowledge and overthrows the treacherous. Adulterous women try to trap men with their words.

Youth have foolishness tangled in them. Discipline will drive it away from him. Wisdom will build the knowledge we need to handle life. Keep your confidence in Yahweh.

Boundary markers should not be moved. Skilled workmen will be well thought of by those in leadership rolls. The more you know how to do the better your position in the community will be.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Leaders are given advice in Proverbs 21. The Lord can channel good things to the people he chooses. Pursue righteousness and love and find life, prosperity, and honor. Again, we think our ways are right. God evaluates our motives.

Justice is more important to God than our sacrifices. Our gifts to God should be done for the correct motive. Turning our back on the poor will come back on us. Do not use this verse as saying that you should give something to everyone who claims they are in need. The wise person gives only through organizations that do the most for the indigent. Read Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Man with the Twisted Lip” for more on this.

The wicked are characterized by violence, haughty eyes, and an arrogant heart. The guilty are crooked and the behavior of the innocent is upright. We again hear that a nagging wife is not something to be desired. Verse nineteen repeats this.

Today we are told that punishment of those that break our laws is not appropriate. Verse eleven tells us that punishment of those who disobey will make those who see it wiser. The righteous think about those who are not and the wicked come to ruin.

The cry of the poor may be ignored but those who do will also not be answered. Gifts and bribes can soothe anger and rage. Justice is joy to the good. It is also a terror to the ones who are evil.

Straying from wisdom will lead to destruction. Loving pleasure leads to poverty as will wine. Wisdom leads to wealth by saving. The consumption of the wicked does not.

Righteousness and faithful love will find life and honor. Wisdom wins battles. Trouble can be avoided by watching your mouth just as your mother taught you. A mocker is a person with excessive pride. Slackers refuse to work and are controlled by their cravings.  

Sacrifices should be without any motive except to glorify Yahweh. Lies will kill us but a good listener will be heard. Consider your path and avoid being someone you are not.  Nothing can prevail against the Lord. The victory is his in spite of the strength of men.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

Do you need a reason not to drink? Proverbs 20 says that wine is a mocker and beer make you a brawler. Most of us know this is true because we have seen others react these ways after a few adult beverages.

The proverbs about kings can be applied to our elected officials. Their anger can be like a roaring lion, and they can endanger you. These leaders should use discernment when making decisions. The wise official should be able to identify the wicked. Loyalty and trustworthiness are desired. Integrity makes us and our children happy.

It is honorable to resolve disputes. Causing them is foolish. No one can claim to be without faults. God disapproves falsifying measurements. Even young people are known by their actions. God gave us sight and hearing.

Goofing off will cause a shortage in food. Sleeping more means less time to make a living. Don’t allow others to dispute the value of your work. Defrauding others won’t give you what you want.

Council enables us to draw out the deep thoughts that we need to understand situations. Knowledge is a valuable treasure. We are again reminded to beware of offering security for someone else that is borrowing.

Gossip and talking more than necessary will lead to problems. Cursing your father or mother adds darkness to your life. Premature inheritances will not ultimately be a blessing.

Leave vengeance to the Lord. The strength of the young is an attribute. The splendor of the elderly is their gray hair. Suffering purges evil in your soul.

Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger         

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