31 Days of Wisdom: Proverbs 13

Please visit the link below if you would like to read through Proverbs 13 before continuing.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2013&version=NIV

Disclaimer: This is a personal journey of discovery for me. I am not claiming any special wisdom or exposition of my own, only sharing how 31 days of wisdom affect me and stir my spirit. I highly suggest, no matter who is speaking or sharing, that you check their words against the words of Scripture.

Proverbs 13

Solomon repeats again that wisdom is listening to your parents. Repetition is important, especially in wisdom literature. (v1)

What we put in is what we get out. And, it becomes a vicious cycle. If we take in good things, we will have good things from our lips to enjoy. If we are unfaithful, our appetites are fed and become darker. (v2)

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin”. Control over the tongue is so important. Waiting to speak is imperative. Life and death can be the difference. (v3)

If you are lazy, you will always be hungry for more. If you work hard, you will be satisfied. (v4)

The righteous hate lies. The wicked are foul and disgraceful. (v5)

Righteousness and integrity goes hand in hand. (v6)

I’m not sure why Solomon puts some of these things in here. I wonder if some are just observations of what he saw; some seem true, but maybe not universally true. I’m not sure what wisdom to garner from: “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another person pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.” (v7-8)

The righteous shine brightly while the light of the wicked goes out. (v9)

“Where there is strive, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (v10)

There’s no quick payday. Dishonest money slips through your fingers. Gathering money little by little, being diligent, is the way to make it grow. (v11)

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life”. (v12)

If you don’t listen to instruction, it will cost you. But whoever respects authority turns from the way of death. (v13-14)

Those with good judgment are honored, but the unfaithful walk into trouble. (v15)

You can tell the prudent because they act with knowledge. Fools show exactly how foolish they are. (v16)

If you’re out to stir trouble, you will fall into trouble; but if your intent is trustworthy, you will bring healing. (v17)

“Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” Repetition = important. (v18)

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.” It’s interesting to me how Solomon paired things. Is he trying to say that our longings are fulfilled when we turn from evil? (v19)

Our companions make a difference. “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm”. (v20)

You get what’s coming to you: sinners get trouble while the righteous get good things. (v21)

Good people store up wealth for generations, but the wealth of sinners is lost. (v22)

“An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.”(v23)

“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” (v24)

The righteous are provided for, but the wicked go hungry. (v25)

Dear Father of Wisdom,
Help me trust You with my longings. May the fruit of my lips come from ingesting your Word. May I be a blessing. Amen

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