Proverbs 17

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.

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son,
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
    whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool -
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offence,
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
    more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
    the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than a fool bent on folly.
13 Evil will never leave the house
    of one who pays back evil for good.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent -
    the Lord detests them both.
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
    when they are not able to understand it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
    and puts up security for a neighbour.
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accept bribes in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,
    surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.