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“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (26:20 NIV ’84) If no wood is put on the fire, it dies out. If one refrains from gossip, it’s hard to keep a quarrel burning hot. The Spirit and Word will help us speak words of kindness and love.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 26:1-28 ESV Text: Proverbs 26:1-28 Proverbs 26 (Listen) 26:1   Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,    so honor is not fitting for a fool.2   Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its… “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (26:20 NIV ’84) If no wood is put on the fire, it dies out. If one refrains from gossip, it’s hard to keep a quarrel burning hot. The Spirit and Word will help us speak words of kindness and love.

“Do not say, ‘I will do to him just as he has done to me.’” (24:29) In clear contrast to the prevailing attitude of the world, God’s people are called to do good to their enemies. Our aim is to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.” (Ephesians 5:2)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 24:17-34 ESV Text: Proverbs 24:17-34 Proverbs 24:17–34 (Listen) 17   Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18   lest the LORD see it and be displeased,    and turn away… “Do not say, ‘I will do to him just as he has done to me.’” (24:29) In clear contrast to the prevailing attitude of the world, God’s people are called to do good to their enemies. Our aim is to “walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.” (Ephesians 5:2)

“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” (24:3-4) When wisdom from above builds the house, that house is filled with the “pleasant riches” of the love, forgiveness, and patience of Jesus.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 24:1-16 ESV Text: Proverbs 24:1-16 Proverbs 24:1–16 (Listen) 24:1   Be not envious of evil men,    nor desire to be with them,2   for their hearts devise violence,    and their lips talk of trouble. 3   By wisdom a house is… “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” (24:3-4) When wisdom from above builds the house, that house is filled with the “pleasant riches” of the love, forgiveness, and patience of Jesus.

“There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (22:13) Lazy people will dream up the most outrageous reasons to get out of work. Redeemed by the blood of Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, we have every reason to work hard and to do our best to the glory of God.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 22:1-29 ESV Text: Proverbs 22:1-29 Proverbs 22 (Listen) 22:1   A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,    and favor is better than silver or gold.2   The rich and the poor meet together;    the LORD… “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (22:13) Lazy people will dream up the most outrageous reasons to get out of work. Redeemed by the blood of Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, we have every reason to work hard and to do our best to the glory of God.

Proverbs speaks of two different types of safety. One leads to true and lasting security, while the other only offers a false security. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.” (18:11-12)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 18:1-24 ESV Text: Proverbs 18:1-24 Proverbs 18 (Listen) 18:1   Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;    he breaks out against all sound judgment.2   A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,    but only in expressing his opinion.3   When wickedness… Proverbs speaks of two different types of safety. One leads to true and lasting security, while the other only offers a false security. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.” (18:11-12)

“Pride goes before destruction.” (16:18) Unchecked sinful pride leads to eternal destruction. Pray for humble hearts so that we place God’s wisdom above our proud, sin-tainted reason. “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 16:1-20 ESV Text: Proverbs 16:1-20 Proverbs 16:1–20 (Listen) 16:1   The plans of the heart belong to man,    but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.2   All the ways of a man are pure in… “Pride goes before destruction.” (16:18) Unchecked sinful pride leads to eternal destruction. Pray for humble hearts so that we place God’s wisdom above our proud, sin-tainted reason. “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14)

Proverbs offers more than guidance for daily life. In several places it teaches that the Word of God gives eternal life. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (13:14 ESV) As Peter once said of Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 13:1-25 ESV Text: Proverbs 13:1-25 Proverbs 13 (Listen) 13:1   A wise son hears his father’s instruction,    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2   From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,    but… Proverbs offers more than guidance for daily life. In several places it teaches that the Word of God gives eternal life. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (13:14 ESV) As Peter once said of Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

There is a sharp contrast between how the godly ( the believer in Christ) and the wicked (the unbeliever) communicate. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword. But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (12:18) The Gospel of Christ ,above all else, gives health to our sin stricken souls.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 12:1-28 ESV Text: Proverbs 12:1-28 Proverbs 12 (Listen) 12:1   Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,    but he who hates reproof is stupid.2   A good man obtains favor from the LORD,    but a man of evil devices he condemns.3   No… There is a sharp contrast between how the godly ( the believer in Christ) and the wicked (the unbeliever) communicate. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword. But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (12:18) The Gospel of Christ ,above all else, gives health to our sin stricken souls.

Many blessings flow from a godly life. Some examples: “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (11:2)) A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. (11:16) Yes, blessing flow from a godly life. Yet we remember sinners are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 11:1-20 ESV Text: Proverbs 11:1-20 Proverbs 11:1–20 (Listen) 11:1   A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,    but a just weight is his delight.2   When pride comes, then comes disgrace,    but with the humble is wisdom.3   The… Many blessings flow from a godly life. Some examples: “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (11:2)) A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. (11:16) Yes, blessing flow from a godly life. Yet we remember sinners are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone.

We come back to the core message of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (9:10) True wisdom is found only in the Lord. (Again, the pinnacle of all wisdom is Christ crucified.) Sadly, most choose folly over wisdom. Only by God’s grace can we cling in faith to wisdom.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV Text: Proverbs 9:1-18 Proverbs 9 (Listen) The Way of Wisdom 9:1   Wisdom has built her house;    she has hewn her seven pillars.2   She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;    she has also… We come back to the core message of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (9:10) True wisdom is found only in the Lord. (Again, the pinnacle of all wisdom is Christ crucified.) Sadly, most choose folly over wisdom. Only by God’s grace can we cling in faith to wisdom.