Rewards for Wisdom III

Friday, May 13, 2022

Never Walk Away

21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;

    don’t for a minute lose sight of them.

They’ll keep your soul alive, and well,

    they’ll keep you fit and attractive.

You’ll travel safely; you’ll neither tire nor trip.

You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,

    and you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.

No need to panic over alarms or surprises,

    or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,

Because God will be right there with you;

    he’ll keep you safe and sound.

27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;

    your hand is God’s hand for that person.

Don’t tell your neighbor, “Maybe some other time”

    or “Try me tomorrow”

    when the money’s right there in your pocket.

Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor

    when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

30-32 Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder,

    always spoiling for a fight.

Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.

    Why be a bully?

“Why not?” you say. Because God can’t stand twisted souls.

    It’s the straightforward who get his respect.

33-35 God’s curse blights the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the home of the righteous.

He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,

    but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.

Wise living gets rewarded with honor;

    stupid living gets the booby prize.

-Proverbs 3:21-35 The Message

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—

    keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 and they will be life for your soul

    and adornment for your neck.

23 Then, you will walk on your way securely,

    and your foot will not stumble.

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror

    or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

26 for the Lord will be your confidence

    and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,

    who dwells trustingly beside you.

30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,

    when he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a man of violence

    and do not choose any of his ways,

32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,

    but the upright are in his confidence.

33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34 Toward the scorners, he is scornful,

    but to the humble, he gives favor.

35 The wise will inherit honor,

    but fools get disgrace.

Verses 27-28 studies: Holding on to things that is good inconsiderate, and unfair. It can be repaying a loan, returning a tool, or fulfilling a promise. Keeping things quiet can destroy trust and can be an inconvenience. Instead, do good and be eager to do it as you will have good done to you.