Through My Bible Yr 03 – October 04

²² Don’t those who plan evil go astray?
But those who plan to do good find mercy and truth.
²³ In all hard work there is gain,
but empty talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴ Their wealth is a crown for the wise,
but the stupidity of fools is just stupidity.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
but a liar breathes deceit.
²⁶ In the fear of the Lord a person gains strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
It turns a person away from the snares of death.
²⁸ A large population brings glory to a king.
Without people a ruler is ruined.
²⁹ A patient person has great understanding,
but an impatient person exalts foolishness.
³⁰ A contented heart ^[1] gives life to the flesh,
but envy rots the bones.
³¹ A person who oppresses the poor insults his Maker,
but one who is gracious to the needy honors him.
³² A wicked person is brought down by his own evil,
but a righteous person finds refuge even at his death.
³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning.
It can be recognized even among fools.
³⁴ Righteousness lifts up a nation,
but sin brings shame to a people.
³⁵ A king favors a servant who acts wisely,
but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 15

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,
but the mouths of fools spout stupidity.
³ The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
    watching evil people as well as the good.
⁴ A healing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue shatters the spirit.
⁵ A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction is sensible.
⁶ The house of the righteous contains great wealth,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools—not so.
⁸ A sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination ^[2] to the Lord,
but a prayer of the upright gains his favor.
⁹ The way of a wicked person is repulsive ^[3] to the Lord,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
¹⁰ Harsh discipline waits for anyone who leaves the path,
and a person who hates correction will die.
¹¹ Death and Destruction ^[4] lie open before the Lord—
how much more human hearts!
¹² A scoffer does not love anyone who corrects him.
He will not go to wise people.
¹³ A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit.
¹⁴ The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
¹⁵ All the days of an oppressed person are evil,
but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration. ^[5]
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.
¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.
¹⁸ A hothead stirs up a fight,
but a patient person calms a dispute.
¹⁹ The way of a lazy person is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of upright people is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person despises his mother.
²¹ Stupidity delights a person who lacks sense,
but one who has understanding stays on course.
²² Plans fail without advice,
but where there are many advisors they succeed.
²³ Giving an apt response with his own mouth makes a person happy,
and a word at the right time—oh how good!

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 14:30 Literally a healing heart
2. Proverbs 15:8 Or is disgusting or is repulsive
3. Proverbs 15:9 Or is an abomination
4. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
5. Proverbs 15:15 The word celebration refers to a feast which includes drinking.