Proverbs 20 (CJB) Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise. The dread of a king is like when a lion roars; he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin. Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor; for any fool can explode in anger. A lazy person won’t plow in winter; so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing. The heart’s real intentions are like deep water; but a person with discernment draws them out. Most people announce that they show kindness, but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]? The righteous live a life of integrity; happy are their children after them. The king seated on his judgment throne can winnow out all evil with his glance. Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed from my sin”? False weights and false measures — Adonai detests them both. The character of even a child is known by how he acts, by whether his deeds are pure and right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye — Adonai made them both. If you love sleep, you will become poor; keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food. “Really bad stuff!” says the buyer [to the seller]; then he goes off and brags [about his bargain]. A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls, but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel. Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger’s loan; take them as security for that unknown woman. Food obtained by fraud may taste good, but later the mouth is full of gravel. After consultation, plans succeed; so take wise advice when waging war. A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so don’t get involved with a talkative person. Whoever curses his father or mother — his lamp will go out in total darkness. Possessions acquired quickly at first will not be blessed in the end. Don’t say, “I’ll pay back evil for evil”; wait for Adonai to save you. Adonai detests a double standard in weights, and false scales are not good. A man’s steps are ordered by Adonai, so how can a person understand his own ways? It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly and reflect on the vows only afterwards. A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous] and threshes them under the cartwheel. The human spirit is a lamp of Adonai; it searches one’s inmost being. Grace and truth preserve a king; with grace he upholds his throne. The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair. Blows that wound purge away evil, yes, beatings [cleanse] one’s inmost being.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 11:27:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015