Proverbs 23:9. “Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.” (NIV). “Do not waste words on a fool, who will not appreciate the shrewdness of your remarks.” (NJB). “Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they will only poke fun at your words. ” (MSG). “A rebellious fool will despise your …
Proverbs 13:3. (the Hebrew word for “life,” can also mean “throat” or “soul”) “He who guards his lips guards his soul, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (NIV). “A guard on the mouth makes life secure, whoever talks too much is lost.” (NJB). Guard your words and you’ll guard your life, but if …
Proverbs 17:28. “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” (NIV). “Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart.” (MSG) “If the fool holds his tongue, he may pass for wise; if he seals his lips, he …
Proverbs 25:11 “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (NIV). “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (AMP). “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” (NLT). “Like golden apples in silver showpieces is a phrase well turned.” (TANAKH). …
While studying the same verse in many translations and versions, we are afforded many different glimpses of the same general ideas. It helps us to use the Scriptures to teach themselves, and it helps us learn to see the different Hebrew words from many angles. There is no one perfect translation, so we need to …
Unwise: Conclusion to Proverbs WISDOM: the practical art of living skilfully (Peterson); moral understanding; astute discernment; shrewd insight; practicing the truth in daily life; learning to live as our Creator intended; a lifestyle of applying God’s revelation-knowledge to decision-making; “practical spirituality” (NIV notes). The book of Proverbs is centered on the makings of wisdom, about …
Proverbs 31:10, 25, 26, 30. “A virtuous and capable wife is more precious than rubies. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who …
Proverbs 30:8-9. “Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’ If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.” (Message). “Give me neither undue poverty nor undue wealth – but rather, feed my …
Proverbs 29:1. “He who stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.” (NLT). “For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there’ll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it’ll be too late to help them.” (Message). “One oft-reproved may become stiff-necked, but he …
Proverbs 28:23. “In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.” (NLT). “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.” (NASB). “If you correct someone with constructive criticism, in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery.” (TPT). “In the end, serious reprimand …
Proverbs 27:9, 17. “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (NLT). “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” (Message). “Sweet friendships …