Pride Unwise 9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. 10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. Verse 9 This is a puzzle. A famous person can be ...
Godly and Sensible 7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm. 8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. Verse 7 This reminds us of verse 3. An evil man is never strong. ...
Plan Wisely 5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. 6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. Verse 5 A good man does not plot evil plans...
Stable Crown 3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. 4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. Verse 3 This verse is not about the strength of...
Disciplined Wisdom 1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. 2 The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. Verse 1 We can benefit when someone shows our mis...
Growth in Wisdom 30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.[a] 31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners? Verse 30 We can bring God’s life to other p...
Fools and Trouble 27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! 28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. 29 Those who bring trouble ...
Prosper or Cursed 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need. Verse 25 There are many gen...
Rewards and Loss 23 The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment. 24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. Verse 23 A good man wants good things, and he will ...
Oinky Jewelry 21 Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. 22 A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. God wants us to live good lives, but we are all...
Death and Life 19 Godly people find life; evil people find death. 20 The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. Verse 19 Nobody is ‘really good’, except God (Luke 18:19). Nobody dese...
Cruel to be Kind 17 Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. 18 Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Many people ask about the benefits that a Christian receives...
Pay Your Bills 15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt. 16 A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Verse 15 We should make a...
Advising Gossip 13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. Verse 13 This verse is also ab...
City Planning 101 11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. Verse 11 explains the react...
Righteous and Wicked 9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. 10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. Verse 9 explain...
Hope in Wisdom 7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength. 8 The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. Verse 7 Death is terrible for an evil man....
Honesty Ain’t Heavy 5 The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 6 The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them. Verse 5 Solomon compares life to ...
Honestly Right 3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. 4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. Verse 3 An honest man is a good man. He loves the trut...
Watch That Scale 1 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Verse 1 Our actions, like our words, are important to God. At wo...
Watch That Tongue 31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. Verses 31-32...
Destroy the Wicked 29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. 30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land. Verse 29 Jesus said, ‘I am the...
Years of Life and Nothing 27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. Verses 27-28 Th...
Thunder and Vinegar 25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. 26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes. Verse 25 A st...