wise character (Prov 25)

 

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Be wise and diligent (Prov 24)

 

​ Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.
The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Be not a witness against your neighbour without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.
A little sleep, a little slumber,  a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Loving kindness and wisdom of the Father (Prov 23)

 

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

On a break see you Monday 28 June

Incline your ear to Wisdom (Prov 22)

 

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.
Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

 

Our Lord knows the condition of our hearts (Prov 21)

 

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a snare of death.

One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honour.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Trust in the Lord and dont be lazy (Proverbs 20)

It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.

A man's steps are from the Lord; 

Fear of the Lord leads to life (Prov 19)

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.
Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Many seek the favour of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass.
A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarrelling is a continual dripping of rain.
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.
A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Our Lord (wisdom) provides safety for us (Proverbs 18)

 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonour comes disgrace.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour.
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarrelling is like the bars of a castle.
From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord.
The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Wisdom refines our hearts (Prov 17)

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts..
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.
If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbour.
Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Wisdom is to be treasured its benefits superior by far (Prov 16 Part 2)

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
A man of violence entices his neighbour and leads him in a way that is not good.
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

 

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 

Wisdom is to be treasured, its benefits superior by far (Prov 16 Part 1)

 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favour is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Wisdom teaches us to honour the Father (Prov 15)

 

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour.

Wisdom shapes our characters (Prov 14)

 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.
The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
A man of quick temper acts foolish.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

The Fathers wisdom grants us favour (Prov 13)

Wisdom against falsehood

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.
The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
By insolence comes nothing but strife,  but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Good sense wins favour, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honoured.
A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

The wisdom of discipline and honesty (Prov 12)

 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

A good man obtains favour from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence  but a false witness utters deceit.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labour.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.