Proverbs 10

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.

10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
    but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
16 The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
    and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
    without painful toil for it.
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
    what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm for ever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.
27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
    but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favour,
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.