Tag: Learning III

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

11 The one who stays on the job has food on the table;

    the witless chase whims and fancies.

12 What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,

    while the roots of the righteous give life and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

13 The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;

    the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;

    well-done work has its own reward.

15 Fools are headstrong and do what they like;

    wise people take advice.

16 Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;

    the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

-Proverbs 12:11-16 The Message

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,

    but the root of the righteous bears’ fruit.

13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

    but the righteous escapes from trouble.

14 From the fruit of his mouth, a man is satisfied with good,

    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

    but a wise man listens to advice.

16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,

    but the prudent ignores an insult.

Verse 13 study: One way to sin is to twist facts to fit your narrative. These are people that will be trapped in their own lies. People who tell the truth, the facts, pure and uncut, give on unshakeable defense. If you find yourself having to defend yourself to others, maybe your honesty is less than it should be.

Verse 14 study: Your hands and mouth yield your product. It can be a good thing or a bad one. It can be a reward for good actions, but a consequence for bad actions based on how you speak and use your hands.

Verse 16 study: When people annoy you, it’s natural to respond. The problem is, it doesn’t solve anything. It’s only encouraging trouble. So try to answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.”

A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

-Proverbs 15:1 ESV