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.

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“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