Wisdom from Proverbs

Proverbs 3:27-28; 6:16-19,30-31; 8:12-13; 10:4-6,13,18,32; 11:12,14,19; 12:10-11,15

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.

30 People do not despise a thief
If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold;
He may have to give up all the substance of his house.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,

But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 13:4,12,14-15,24; 14:15-16,21,23,28,32; 15:2,18,22-23,28; 16:17,20-22

Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

Proverbs 17:19
19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

27 He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

In settings of silver.

15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

Proverbs 27:17

17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Even his prayer is an abomination.

In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages have been taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

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