Proverbs 10
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
The Proverbs of Solomon
1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
5 A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
6 The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
7 We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.
8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.
11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.
17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.
18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.
31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. (NLT)
insights
Proverbs 10:7
This verse really made me think.
It reminded me of a passage from classical
literature. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony’s famous soliloquy begins,
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury Ceasar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives with them. The good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with Ceasar.”
Even a corrupt dictator was remembered by Mark Anthony for his kind, courageous, and generous acts. Those are the things that will be remembered, and though we are indeed flawed, those who survive us will recall that which is good, rather than our flaws and our faults. In the same way, by the blood of Jesus, God will not remember our faults if we truly belong to Him.
Proverbs 10:17
Solomon, in his wisdom, shows us for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When we do foolish things, there are always consequences. That is God’s correction. We can learn from our mistakes and grow in wisdom which brings us closer to God, or we can ignore His correction and continue in our foolishness. Solomon points out that we have a choice – to cling to that which is life, or to stray away from it.
Proverbs 10:25
“All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn’t mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child.”
music by Kevin Stokes & Tony Wood
recorded by Scott Krippayne
We can always count on God to get us through it, whatever it is, one way or the other. He is our rock, and if He is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
lynnibug
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