A 31 Day Journey Through the Book of Proverbs: Day 24
Proverbs 24
Precepts and Warnings
1 Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.
6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plans to do evil, men will call a schemer.
9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.26 He kisses the lips who gives a right answer.
27 Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.
33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.
Reflection
When you don’t like someone, it can be very easy to be glad when something doesn’t go their way, even though we know we shouldn’t feel this way. Verse 17 tells us this exactly: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.” Later on, in verse 29, Solomon writes, “Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.’” Even though people will wrong us, even though they may not be kind to us, Jesus still died for their sins. We are called, as followers of Jesus, to love them in the same way.
Reflect
What do these verses say about the wicked and those who do not know God?
What is our response supposed to be when we encounter people we don’t like?
Engage
Of course, these things are often easier said than done. Pray that God would help you to forgive and to love those who are difficult to love.
An Extra Mile
Write a letter to someone who has hurt you or someone you need to forgive. Even if you don’t give them the physical letter, the practice of forgiveness takes time and daily choices to love. Keep practicing!
Today’s reflection provided by YOUVERSION Reading Plan: 30 Day Challenge: A Walk Through Proverbs