God Speaks
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 be exposed.
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.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: For purpose of study in comparison and contrast, Proverbs 17 is presented here with the good or godly statements in italic.
1. Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting–and conflict.
2. A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance of the master’s children.
3. Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4. Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
5. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6. Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
7. Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8. A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one prospers.
9. Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
10. A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11. Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
12. It is safer to meet a bear rubbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
13. If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
14. Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
15. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent–both are detestable to the LORD.
16. It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
17. A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of trouble.
18. It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.
19. Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
20. The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
21. It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
23. The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24. Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyeswander to the ends of the earth.
25. Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
26. It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.
27. A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut they seem intelligent.
Consider the following questions regarding each Proverbs 17:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God is all wise and graciously guides those who turn to Him unto the right paths.
2. People can change from foolishness to wisdom by turning to God.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 17?
Gracious Father God, please help me to live at peace with members of my household. Test and purify my heart, LORD. Let me delight in the children in my life and may they enjoy my company as well. Additionally, help me to lead them in developing a proper respect for authority, especially Yours. I desire to be wise, an even-tempered person of few but meaningful words. I want to be a loyal friend and a helpful sibling. Don’t let me start or join in mocking other people, especially the poor or those who have some affliction. Give me the courage to stand up for or truly help them instead. Help me to demonstrate Your perfect love by forgiving (on the basis of the cross) those who have wronged me. Instead of starting or perpetuating a quarrel, please help me, Father, to be a calming, quieting influence. As You put me in the presence of a person with a broken spirit, show me how to cheer their heart like a powerful but good-tasting medicine. Keep the eyes of my heart focused on Your wisdom, love, and grace. In everything I say and do may I honor You, LORD God. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 17? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will gently but firmly refuse to cosign another person’s debt; better to give the person the money needed if I am able to do so.
- I will not listen to gossip or pass on what I know to be a lie.
- I will seek to verify what I read or am told. What is the source of the information?
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me if particular words or actions are wise or foolish and seek to do or say more of the former.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.