Proverbs 11

Over August we're going to read through the book of Proverbs. There are 31 days in August and 31 chapters in Proverbs, so we'll be putting them up on Saturdays and Sundays too.

Instead of relying on other reflections on the passages, we want to make space for God to speak to us all in the expectation that we will be transformed into his likeness as we open ourselves to his Spirit and seek to live wise and godly lives.

Open yourself to the Spirit, ask him to highlight a particular verse, phrase or section for you to think about during the day.

Read the chapter slowly. If something jumps out at you or catches your attention stay with that for a while.

Ask yourself, does this make me feel uncomfortable/reassured/challenged?

Ask questions of the Proverb?
Why did the original writer think this was worth writing down?
How does did this apply to people's lives in the past?
How does it apply to my life now?

Ask the Spirit what he may be saying.
Is God calling me to change/repent/see things differently?
How would my life look different if I lived this out?
What steps can I take to make this happen?

Take this Proverb with you throughout the day and see how the wisdom of the ages can transform your life today.

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,
    but accurate weights find favour with him.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
    all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbours,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12 Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisors.
15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
16 A kind-hearted woman gains honour,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 Truly the righteous attain life,
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favour,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!