Proverbs 19

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.

19 Better the poor whose way of life is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good -
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3 A person's own folly leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6 Many curry favour with a ruler,
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives -
    how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury -
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 A person's wisdom yields patience;
    it is to one's glory to overlook an offence.
12 A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,
    but his favour is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child is a father's ruin,
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
    and the shiftless go hungry.
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he will reward them for what they have done.
18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.
19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 Many are the plans in a person's heart,
    but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
22 What a person desires is unfailing love;
    better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.