Proverbs 24

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.

Saying 20
24 Do not envy the wicked,
    do not desire their company;
2 for their hearts plot violence,
    and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5 The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6 Surely you need guidance to wage war,
    and victory is won through many advisors.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
    in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8 Whoever plots evil
    will be known as a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin,
    and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
    how small is your strength!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
    hold back those staggering towards slaughter.
12 If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,'
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
    Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
    honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
    if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
    and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,
    do not plunder their dwelling-place;
16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,
    but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers
    or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evildoer has no future hope,
    and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son,
    and do not join with rebellious officials,
22 for those two will send sudden destruction on them,
    and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Further sayings of the wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
24 whoever says to the guilty, 'You are innocent,'
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Put your outdoor work in order
    and get your fields ready;
    after that, build your house.
28 Do not testify against your neighbour without cause -
    would you use your lips to mislead?
29 Do not say, 'I'll do to them as they have done to me;
    I'll pay them back for what they did.'
30 I went past the field of a sluggard,
    past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds,
    and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
    and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest -
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.