1 The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases.
2People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart.
3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices.
4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6Wealth created by lying is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.[a]
7Because the wicked refuse to do what is just, their violence boomerangs and destroys them.
8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.
9It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home.
10Evil people love to harm others; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11A simpleton can learn only by seeing mockers punished; a wise person learns from instruction.
12The Righteous One[b] knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring the wicked to disaster.
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
14A secret gift calms anger; a secret bribe pacifies fury.
15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it causes dismay among evildoers.
16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.
17Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches.
18Sometimes the wicked are punished to save the godly, and the treacherous for the upright.
19It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife.
20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
21Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor.
22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
23If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.
24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
25The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. 26They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give!
27God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it is brought with ulterior motives.
28A false witness will be cut off, but an attentive witness will be allowed to speak.
29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright proceed with care.
30Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.
31The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 21:6 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads mist for those who seek death.
b. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous man.
4 comments:
Morning guys.
Nothing really jumped out at me today, and I certainly cannot relate to verse 19. :o)
I did however read the first 5 chapters of purpose driven life again, it is still really good. Hard to imagine that everything we do, (note the everything part) has eternal implications. Wow,right??? Each one is an opportunity to either honor or dishonor God. Something to think about for sure.
I do remeber the one prevailing theme from this whole book of Proverbs that does jump out at me like verse
23If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.
and the other one after hearing Bono was verse
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
Father, watch over my brothers today. Give them the strength to be salt and light and wisdom to honor You in everything they and I do. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. I pray for my attitude today and that You will make the motives in my heart pure. Be with timmcd today. Thanks for an awesome family and a wonderful caring wife.
In Christ,
cas
Morning Fellas and welcoming new brothers,
verse 30 "Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord."
This verse reminds me that no matter how I plan my life, that if it is different from the will of God that the Lord will always win. Personally, I must try to turn over my whole life unto God every single day. I often find myself trying to do it my way at times.
Lord, bless all who I come in contact with.
Amen,
LT
Good morning,
The following two verses really hit me:
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
17Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches.
Bono interview and awareness of what is going on with poor in Africa and Aids/Hunger continues to weigh on me. Spent last night reading more on the web and was shocked by 30 MILLION people have Aids in Africa and over 1.5 million Aids orphans. Mother to child transmission being #1 killer in the world. Continue to pray about my role and action to take.
Prov 21
Morning gents,
The same verses jumped out at me. v19 and 9 about the wives actually confuse me. I think that the message is that our wives will be and are a reflection of ourselves, therefore if we ignore God's teaching, we will behave in a fashion which will make our wives crabby and contentious. If we live Godly lives, they will be on our team, and wanting to be more like us.
The other one that got me was LT's verse:
30Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.
This verse comforts me as I often wonder if AAB and I "decided", even with lots of prayer, to go back to graduate school.
Father, thank You for these men, and Your word. Help me continue to stay focused on You more and more. I praise You for changing my focus over the last few months, and motivating these men to read & blog with us. Watch over my travel this week, these men and our families. In Jesus' name,
Amen
crb
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