Proverbs
Proverbs 13:13 A Listening Heart
The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13 NASB Or another translation says: He that despises a matter, shall get pledged thereto; but he that reveres a commandment, the same shall be recompensed. Proverbs 13:13 Rotherham “The word” say…
Read MoreProverbs 13:12 Hope’s Journey
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 The Proverbs are filled with cause and effect — you do this, you get that — most which compel the reader toward choosing goodness, righteousness, diligence, and humility. Then Solomon pens this proverb. When I first read this, it…
Read MoreProverbs 13:11 The intersection of money and work
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it. Proverbs 13:11 Fraud, from a Hebrew root meaning vapor, breath, emptiness, vanity. The NIV translates, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” And Rotherham, “Wealth gotten by greed diminishes, but he that gathers by…
Read MoreProverbs 13:10 The roots of contention and peace
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 NIV Rotherham says: “Only by pride does one cause contention…” Contention. Strife. The Hebrew means to quarrel. From a root; properly, to go forth, i.e. (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) to be desolate. From this…
Read MoreProverbs 13:9 What does happy light do?
The light of the righteous rejoices [shines brightly], But the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 13:9 NKJV There’s a delightful picture found in the verb of the first sentence, which literally means rejoice, or be glad. From this, translators conclude that if it as a happy light — happy doing what…
Read MoreProverbs 13:8 A Kingdom Mindset
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. Proverbs 13:8 NASB Ransom is a beautiful word. It is the same word used of “pitch” in Genesis when God instructed Noah how to seal up the ark. It kept out the flood and was a protection, or in Noah’s…
Read MoreProverbs 16:7 Posers
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. Proverbs 13:7 NKJV Or Rotherham’s translation: There is, who feigns himself rich, yet has nothing at all, and who pleads poverty, yet has great substance. Solomon is talking about appearances. Something that is actually a…
Read MoreProverbs 13:6 Kings and coups
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless [the person of integrity], But wickedness [lawlessness] overthrows [subverts, undermines] the sinner. Proverbs 13:6 NKJV Solomon personifies righteousness and lawlessness as either a protector or a villain looking for my downfall. They are two dispositions in constant tension, working out their natures in my life like peaches appearing…
Read MoreProverbs 13:5 The silent stinker
A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. Proverbs 13:5 NASB What is the connection between one who hates lies and one who causes shame? One man hates what is false. Their soul rejects it and doesn’t want any part of it. No shade of lie, no half truth, no…
Read MoreProverbs 13:4 Life’s secret sauce
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4 NIV Or New American Standard translates it, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing.” Appetite and need Appetite refers to the desire for food or drink and also the need to satisfy both cravings of the…
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