THE WORD Proverbs 20:1–30 (The Living Bible) Wine gives false courage; hard liquor leads to brawls; what fools men are to let it master them, making them reel drunkenly down the street! 2The king’s fury is like that of a roaring lion; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. 3It is an honor for a man to stay out of a fight. Only fools insist on quarreling. 4If you won’t plow in the cold, you won’t eat at the harvest. 5Though good advice lies deep within a counselor’s heart, the wise man will draw it out. 6Most people will tell you what loyal friends they are, but are they telling the truth? 7It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father. 8A king sitting as judge weighs all the evidence carefully, distinguishing the true from false. 9Who can ever say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am sinless”? 10The Lord despises every kind of cheating. 11The character of even a child can be known by the way he acts—whether what he does is pure and right. 12If you have good eyesight and good hearing, thank God who gave them to you. 13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Stay awake, work hard, and there will be plenty to eat! 14“Utterly worthless!” says the buyer as he haggles over the price. But afterwards he brags about his bargain! 15Good sense is far more valuable than gold or precious jewels. 16It is risky to make loans to strangers! 17Some men enjoy cheating, but the cake they buy with such ill-gotten gain will turn to gravel in their mouths. 18Don’t go ahead with your plans without the advice of others; don’t go to war until they agree. 19Don’t tell your secrets to a gossip unless you want them broadcast to the world. 20God puts out the light of the man who curses his father or mother. 21Quick wealth is not a blessing in the end. 22Don’t repay evil for evil. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. 23The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonesty. 24Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way? 25It is foolish and rash to make a promise to the Lord before counting the cost. 26A wise king stamps out crime by severe punishment. 27A man’s conscience is the Lord’s searchlight exposing his hidden motives. 28If a king is kind, honest, and fair, his kingdom stands secure. 29The glory of young men is their strength; of old men, their experience. 30Punishment that hurts chases evil from the heart. JOY
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 21:16:46 +0000
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