Proverbs 13 (New King James Version)
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
God has designed us to dream big. You can see it in children, pretending to be superheroes or famous performers. Verses 2-4 are keys to seeing our dreams come true. Verse 2 is talking about our mouths. What we say becomes part of who we are. We have to speak well of ourselves and of others in order to be who God has called us to be. Words affect the spirit, soul, and body and words reflect the heart. I know what is in my heart about a person or a situation by my words. This is a good thing! When I see my words exposing a heart issue, I can go to God and ask for help. I can repent of any bitterness, negativity, judgmental criticism, or cynicism that focuses my thoughts on man and keeps me from thinking God's thoughts for my life. Verse 4 tells us success comes with diligence. I know it takes work and constant, honest surveillance to keep my heart!
5 A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
Proverbs 12 (New King James Version)
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
I love Chapter 12. Verse 4, I know I am a blessed man! Verse 15 is important for me. I seek out wise counsel. The Lord brings wise men and women into my life all the time. All I have to do is recognize them and ask for counsel. He has just recently opened up new sources of wise friendships on a national level that I am very thankful for. Verse 16 is important for the same reasons. It's not just in reference to friends who have outwardly sinful lifetsyles. This verse could be warning us about negativity, gossip, or people that have a controlling spirits (spiritual manipulation). Great chapter! Time to pray for my heart to be wise and understanding.