PM Sept 10th Prov 11

September 10^th

Proverbs, 11

1: A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2: When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3: The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4: Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5: The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6: The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7: When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8: The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9: An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10: When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11: By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12: He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13: A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety. 15: He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. 16: A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 17: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18: The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19: As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20: They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 22: As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 23: The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24: There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26: He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27: He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28: He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29: He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31: Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Proverbs, 12

1: Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 2: A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3: A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5: The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6: The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7: The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8: A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9: He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10: A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11: He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 12: The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13: The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 14: A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. 15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16: A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17: He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18: There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19: The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20: Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. 21: There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22: Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23: A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24: The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 25: Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 26: The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 27: The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28: In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Proverbs, 13

1: A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2: A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3: He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4: The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5: A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6: Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7: There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8: The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9: The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10: Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 11: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 12: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13: Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14: The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15: Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 16: Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 17: A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 18: Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19: The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21: Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23: Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24: He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25: The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Today we are reading Proverbs 11, 12 & 13. In Proverbs 10 we had the beginning of a section of proverbs written by Solomon for the benefit of all men living under the Mosaic law. This section is from 10v1-19v19. Within this section we have another part which was written to describe the godly and the ungodly. It is again 31 couplets of wisdom written in the typical Jewish style. Proverbs ch 11 describes godliness in the context of ones neighbours.

A balance that gives a false reading is an abomination to the LORD:

but a correct weight is something the Lord delights in.

When pride comes to a man then shame comes to him too:

but those who are humble are wise.

The integrity of the righteous is a guide to the community:

but the perverseness of sinner will destroy it.

Riches will be no profit in the day of wrath: (The Day of the LORD)

but righteousness saves the godly from death.

The righteousness of the spiritually mature will give direction:

but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:

but transgressors will be captured by their own emptiness.

We read here of legalistic righteous according to law. The righteousness of the godly delivers his life from judgment.

When a wicked man dies, his hopes are dashed:

and all his ambition is destroyed.

The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

and the wicked takes his place.

An hypocrite with his false talk undermines his neighbour:

but through transparency the righteous will be delivered.

When things go well for the righteous, the city rejoices:

and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

Through the blessing of God on the upright the city is elevated:

but the city is overthrown by the words of the wicked.

He that has no wisdom despises his neighbour:

but a man of understanding is at peace with his neighbour .

A talebearer reveals secrets:

but he that is faithful to his friends conceals embarrassing things.

Where there is no-one to give advice, the people fall:

but in many advisors there is safety.

He that stands guarantor for a stranger will get his fingers burnt:

and he that never is a guarantor is safe.

A gracious woman keeps her honour:

and strong men keeps his riches.

The merciful man looks after his own life:

but he that is cruel brings trouble to his own body.

Again we see that those proverbs were sayings regarding human life under law. Those who was merciful kept his life. But the wicked man brought trouble to his own flesh.

The wicked work in deceit:

but he that works righteousness will get a sure reward.

As righteousness tends to life:

so he that chases after evil chases his own death.

They that have a proud heart are a foul smell to the LORD:

but the upright are a sweet scent.

Though men agree together, the wicked will not be unpunished:

but the children of the righteous shall be delivered.

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,

so is a beautiful woman who has no discretion.

The righteous only seek after good:

but the wicked expect wrath.

There are some who scatter their goods yet they increase; and some hold back more than they should,

but it these people tend to become poor.

Those that share will be made fat:

And he that waters others will be watered himself.

He that hordes corn will be hated by the people:

but the blessing of the people will be on him that sells grain.

He that carefully seeks to do good obtains favour:

but he that seeks to do mischief will receive mischief.

He that trusts in his riches will fall:

but the righteous will blossom like a branch.

He that troubles his own house shall receive a tornado:

and the fool will serve the wise man.

The fruit of righteous living is like a tree of life;

and he that wins souls is wise.

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:

much more than the wicked and the sinner.

This describes so well how to live under law. If you want to live long prosper and blossom then live rightly but if you want to die young in poverty forsake the Lord. Proverbs 12 is instruction to the wise regarding home life as the basis for godliness in the wider world.

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge:

but he that hates reproof is a brute.

A good man obtains favour of the LORD:

but a man of wicked schemes he will condemn.

A man will not be established in life through wickedness:

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

A virtuous woman is a honour to her husband:

but the wife that makes him ashamed is like cancer in his bones.

The thinking of the righteous is right:

but the advice of the wicked is false.

The discussions of the wicked are how to ambush and murder:

but the discussions of the upright will deliver them.

The wicked are conquered and perish:

but the family of the righteous will remain.

A man will be commended in relation to his wisdom:

but he that has a perverse heart will be despised.

He that is despised, but still has a servant,

is better than he that honours himself but is hungry.

A righteous man looks after the life of his animals:

but the wicked are cruel to their animals.

He that works hard in the field will be satisfied with bread:

but he that follows empty men is empty of understanding.

The wicked want the net of evil men:

but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

The wicked is caught by the sin of his lips:

but the just will come right through trouble.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the things he says:

and the wages of a man's hands will be given to him.

The life of a fool seems right in his own eyes:

but he that listens to advice is wise.

A fool's anger is soon revealed:

but a wise man keeps his tempter.

He that speaks truth declares righteousness:

but a false witness reveals his deceit.

The are some whose speech pierces like a sword:

but the speech of the wise brings health.

The lips of those who speak truth will be established for ever:

but a lying tongue lasts for only a moment.

Deceit is in the mind of those that think up evil things:

but to the advisors of peace there is joy.

No evil thing will happen to the just:

but the wicked will be filled with mischief.

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD:

but they that speak truth are his delight.

A prudent man conceals knowledge:

but the mind of a fool reveals its foolishness.

The hand of the diligent will rule:

but the lazy will be servants of the enemy.

Heaviness in the heart of man makes him stoop:

but a good word lifts his spirit.

The righteous are better neighbours:

but the life of the wicked seduces them.

The lazy man does not have any game to roast:

but the game of the diligent man is precious.

In the life of righteousness there is life;

and in his path of life there is no death.

In chapter 13 Solomon speaks of the temporary, human life of those under the law.

A wise son pays close attention to his father's instruction:

but a scorner does not listen to his rebuke.

A man will eat good thing as a result of his own speaking:

but the life of sinners will bring him violence.

He that guards his speech keepeth his life:

but he that opens his mouth too much will face destruction.

The soul of the lazy man wants everything but has nothing:

but the soul of the hardworking man will be made fat.

A righteous man hates lying:

but a wicked man is loathsome, and will soon come to disgrace.

Righteousness keeps him that is upright in his path of life:

but wickedness overturns the sin offering.

There are some that seek to be rich, yet they have nothing:

there are some that make themselves poor, yet they have great riches.

The value of a mans life is his riches:

but the poor does not listen to correction.

The light of the righteous bring rejoicing:

but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

It is only pride that brings contention:

but with those who have good advice there is wisdom.

Wealth that is obtained by emptiness will be diminished:

but he that gathers wealth by hard work will increase.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick:

but when the thing hoped for comes, it is a tree of life.

Whoever despises the word will be destroyed:

but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.

Could there be a greater statement of legalistic living under the law. Those who keep the law will be rewarded.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life,

to depart from it is like a snare of death.

Good understanding brings favour:

but the path of sinners is hard.

Every prudent man deals with knowledge:

but a fool displays his stupidity.

A wicked messenger falls into mischief:

but a faithful ambassador is health.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction:

but he that pays attention to reproof will be honoured.

The plan fulfilled is sweet to the soul:

but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:

but a companion of fools will be destroyed.

Evil pursues sinners:

but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren:

and the wealth of the sinner is put aside for the use of the righteous.

Much food is Gods blessing to the poor:

but some food is spoiled for lack of common sense.

He that spares the rod of correction to his son does not love him:

but he that loveth him punishes him sometimes.

The righteous eats to the satisfying of his life:

but the belly of the wicked will go hungry.

And so there we have life in Solomon’s kingdom. It was hard work, righteous living, honesty humility, kindness to the poor and this brought about life, health, riches and peace. This is what life under the law was like.