Proverbs chapter 12 (part 3) - Diligent hands will rule #Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 12.

Summary:  God delights in the righteous who are truthful and trustworthy, and will live for eternity, with peace and joy. God hates the liars and deceivers, who bring upon themselves many troubles and tribulations as a result of their lies and deceit. Worries and anxiety will cause a person to be depressed. Good word, such as encouragement, exhortation, praise, meditation on God's promises, could being joy and cheerfulness. Choose our friends and companions carefully. The diligent will earn much income but the lazy is too lazy even to collect his due earnings. The righteous will have eternal life.


19 19 Truthful lips endure for ever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan good have joy.
21 21 No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.  (RSV)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,
    but he delights in people who are trustworthy. (NIV)

19 19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,But those who deal truthfully are His delight.  (NKJV)

Comparison between Righteous and the Wicked:
Righteous: The words of the righteous are lasting, will be remembered forever. The good deeds and good sayings of the righteous are remembered in this world and will be acknowledged in the heaven. The righteous say things and do things that promote peace and unity, and brings joy to himself and other people. The righteous will be save from trouble, with the good speech and good interrelationship with other people. God delights in the righteous who are trustworthy in their dealing with other people.
Wicked: The lies, the false accusation, the deceitful talk, the slander will be finally exposed. Those who deceive and lie will not have eternal life. The life of the wicked is only for a short moment, i.e. in this world only. The wicked has deceitfulness in their hearts, with various kinds of deceitful plots and schemes. Because of the untruthful sayings and doings of the wicked, they will cause many troubles and tribulations to themselves. God hates those who lie and deceive others. Lying and deception are abomination to our Lord God.

Righteousness is a sure protection. If men be sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. He will, by the power of his grace in them, that principle of justice, keep them from the evil of sin; so that, though they be tempted, yet they shall not be overcome by the temptation.

23 23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
    but fools[b] proclaim their folly.  (RSV)

23 23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.  (NIV)

23 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.  (NKJV)

A wise and prudent person is not proud, and does brag or "show off" their knowledge. The prudent person is humble with knowledge, does not boast that he knows a lot but ever willing to learn and gain more knowledge. The prudent person is eager to learn, unlearn and relearn. The prudent and wise person is earnest about continual learning and lifelong learning.

On the contrary, the foolish person is proud and brags about his knowledge which is rather limited. He thinks that he knows a lot, and is too proud to want to learn more and additional knowledge. He is resistant to new knowledge. From his bragging of his knowledge, other people could see the "lack of knowledge" or "limited knowledge" that he has, hence his "folly."

24 24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.  (RSV)

24 24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.  (NIV)

24 24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.  (NKJV)

Those who are diligent, hardworking and work smart will be the leaders, and be promoted to higher positions. Success belongs to the the diligent and hardworking people. Although God promise to bless his faithful and obedient believers, they must also play their part: by being diligent and hardworking.

On the contrary, those who are lazy and slothful will end up being mediocre. Lazy and slothful persons will be fated to work like slaves, manual labour and forced labour. They will find it difficult to rise to higher position, to get higher income, to have a more luxurious life. For those who have the habit of procrastination, they should also beware, lest they fall into the similar trap of laziness.

25 25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.  (RSV)

25 25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
    but a kind word cheers it up.  (NIV)

25 25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.  (NKJV)

Good words, such as encouragement, exhortation, praise, motivating statements, will cheer up our hearts and make us happy and joyous. Positive thinking, pep talks (self-talk on positive and encouraging matters) will make us happier and more motivated in our life. Peace and joy will fill our hearts.

On the contrary, worry and anxiety over various matters may cause us to feel depressed. Negative thinking and pessimism will also cause us to be depressed. Hence, when a person is troubled with many problems, such as financial problems, relationship problems, death or sickness of loved ones, separation, divorce, retrenchment, jobless situation, he should raise the problem to God, pray to God, giving thanks to God with faith and assurance that God will deliver him from his problems. Trust God always!

It is heaviness in the heart; it is a load of care, and fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, depressing them, and disabling them to exert themselves with any vigour on what is to be done or fortitude in what is to borne; it makes them stoop, prostrates and sinks them. The cure of it: A good word from God, applied by faith, makes it glad; such a word is that (says one of the rabbin), Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; the good word of God, particularly the gospel, is designed to make the hearts glad that are weary and heavy-laden.

26 26 A righteous man turns away from evil,[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.  (RSV)

26 26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.  (NIV)

26 26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.  (NKJV)

The righteous person should choose his friends and companions carefully. Because friends and companions can influence. If in constant circle of the godly people, there will be positive influence to walk in the path of righteousness. If in constant circle of diligent and hardworking friends, there will positive influence to work hard and work smart, toward bigger success. If in constant circle of positive thinking friends, there will be tendency toward optimistic and positive thinking, hence a satisfying life with much joy and peace.

On the contrary, if in the constant circle of greedy persons always looking at extra income using deceitful or corrupt ways, there will be negative influence towards greed of money using whatever manner (by good or by crook). If in constant circle of gamblers and those who always fantasize about sudden windfall (winning lottery, big gain at speculative stocks, big gain playing commodities, a lucky hand at poker), there will be negative tendency toward thinking of easy money and slothfulness. If in constant circle of the pub goers and womanisers, there will be negative tendency toward drunkenness and sexual immorality.

27 27 A slothful man will not catch his prey,[d]
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[e]  (RSV)

27 27 The lazy do not roast[a] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.  (NIV)

27 27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.  (NKJV)

The lazy person is so lazy that after he successful hunts his animal, he does not bother to cook it for food. The lazy person is so lazy that after he had done his service to the customer, or sell his products to the customer, he does not bother to invoice the customer or neglects the collection of payment from the customer. The lazy person is so lazy that he does not bother to collect rental from the tenant.

For the diligent and hardworking person, his greatest asset is his spirit of Diligence. Because with diligence, he is able to earn much income, and gain riches and wealth. Because of his diligence, he is able to provide his family with enough money,  enough food, comfortable house, fulfilling all the needs, and extra money for some wants and wishes. Because of his diligence, he can afford good and rather expensive education for his children.

28 28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    but the way of error leads to death.[f]   (RSV)

28 28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
    along that path is immortality.  (NIV)

28 28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.  (NKJV)

In conclusion of this Proverbs chapter 12,
The righteous person who lives a godly life will have eternal life.

Monday, Jan 27, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
19)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.19
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.20
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.21
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.22
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.23
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.24
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.25
26)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.26
27)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.27
28)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.28

Proverbs chapter 6 (part 1) - Warning against Surety, Laziness, Wickedness, Abominable Sins

Proverbs chapter 6.

Summary:  We are warned against becoming Surety and Loan Guarantee for friends, acquaintances, and strangers. We are warned against laziness, slothfulness, and sluggishness. Sluggards are advised to learnt from the ants. We are warned against Wickedness. Characteristics of a wicked man are described. Related to wickedness, we are taught the Seven Abominable Sins.

Practical Admonitions  (RSV).
Warnings against Folly  (NIV).
Dangerous Promises  (NKJV).

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
    if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 2 you have been trapped by what you said,
    ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
    since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
4 Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
    and give your neighbor no rest!
4 5 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
    no slumber to your eyelids.
5 6 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,    like a bird from the snare of the fowler.  (NIV)

1 My son, if you become surety for your friend,
If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
3 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;Plead with your friend.  (NKJV)

We are taught to avoid becoming Surety and Guarantee for loans for friends. Surety could bring poverty and financial trouble for us if the borrower defaults on his loan.  We must view surety as a snare and avoid it completely. Even worse, is becoming surety for acquaintances and strangers.

Be not ensnared by own words and our kindness. Do not rush to consent to be Surety. Do not hastily agree to be Loan Guarantee.

If accidentally or unintentionally became a Surety or Loan Guarantee, try to get out of it soonest possible. Make sure the Principal Borrower pays off the Loan accordingly.

The borrower is servant to the lender, and makes himself very much a slave to this world. Besides becoming Surety, I think we should also avoid unnecessary debt. To buy a house for our residence, we need to borrow from the bank. But it is not wise to take up a personal loan to buy some of our Wants and Wishers (not Needs), e.g. house renovation, a high-end car stereo, luxury watches, jewellery. We should be prudent with money and finances.

When we are Surety for a loan, or a Borrower for a loan, let's get out of debt as soon as possible. Do not delay unnecessarily. Being in debt to the bank, we are like "slaves" for the bank, we work and toil for money...only to be paid to the bank.

The Folly of Indolence  (NKJV).

6 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
7 7 Without having any chief,
    officer or ruler,
8 she prepares her food in summer,
    and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
9 8 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10 9 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 10 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond,    and want like an armed man.  (RSV)

6 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
7 7 Without having any chief,
    officer or ruler,
8 she prepares her food in summer,
    and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
9 8 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10 9 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 10 and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond,    and want like an armed man.  (NIV)

We are taught to be hardworking like the ants. We are warned not to lazy and sluggish.  Wisdom also includes the aspect of being hardworking and diligent.

The principles of hardworking and diligence are:
1)  Be self-motivated. We need to motivate ourselves to work hard, work smart to make a decent living.
2)  Be independent.  With or without being overseen or supervised, we need to be diligent at work. We must be able to work efficiently and effectively, without being supervised, without being told to do so.
3)  Earn a decent income, so that we have spare money to save up for the future.
4)  "Store up" our excess money for the future into the bank. Also invest in various other forms, e.g. house, apartment, land, stocks and shares, unit trust, and other investment instruments.

We must learn from the ants, literally and figuratively. We should also learn to work efficiently and effectively, diligently and smartly, from other sources of knowledge. There are plenty of books on motivation and self-improvement. There are many books on financial wisdom and investment. We must learn from these. The Bible also has many principles and guidance on issues such as financial management, investment, avoiding slothfulness/laziness.

We must be wise, and use our wisdom, to collect during the harvest, to generate income. Sometimes, income is generated alone. Often times, income is generated together with other colleagues, with our team, with our supply chain. When the ant cannot carry a particular food (due to big a size), a number of ants will carry that piece of food together. Similarly, in our work and business venture, we need to work strategically and tactically with other people to make our work/business a success.

Communication and dealing with other people are important skills for working smart. Working hard is not sufficient, may not always be productive. We also need to work smart.

Laziness, slothfulness, sluggishness, and procrastination, will bring poverty and financial difficulties. Those who are lazy must arise and "wake up" from their laziness to avoid the many forms of financial difficulties.

We must recognize opportunities. If God opens the door, and we don't walk the way, the wealth God has planned for us will not materialize. If there is opportunity, we must promptly take the necessary action. We must appreciate and act upon every opportunity.

Is anyone slothful toward heavenly matters?  Is anyone lazy to read the words of God?  Us anyone lazy to meditate upon God's words, and act in accordance? Is anyone lazy to pray and make requests to God? Is anyone lazy to thank God and praise God? Is anyone lazy to sing praises to God? Is anyone lazy to go to church, to worship God together with other believers?

The Wicked Man  (NKJV)

12 
12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13 13 winks with his eyes, scrapes[d] with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14 14 with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord;
15 15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.  (RSV)

12 12 A troublemaker and a villain,
    who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 13  who winks maliciously with his eye,
    signals with his feet
    and motions with his fingers,
14 14  who plots evil with deceit in his heart—
    he always stirs up conflict.
15 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;    he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.  (NIV)

We are warned against the "Wicked Man."  We must avoid having the characteristics of Wickedness. We should avoid the company and friendship of Wicked Men as described in Proverbs chapter 6.

Characteristics of the Wicked Man are:
1)  Worthless. Troublemaker and villain.
2)  Crooked speech. Corrupt lips. Perverse talk.
3)  Subtle, crafty, cunning.
4)  Perverted heart and devise evil plots of deceit.
5)  Cause discord and disunity. Stir up conflicts.

End result of the Wicked Man are:
1)  Disaster.
2)  Calamity.
3)  Destruction and Brokenness beyond healing.
Eventually, the Wicked Man will be punished.

16 16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 19 A false witness who speaks lies,And one who sows discord among brethren.  (NKJV)

16 16 There are six things theLord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
17         17 haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
18         18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19         19 a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.  (NIV)

16 16 There are six things which the Lord hates,
    seven which are an abomination to him:
17 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 19 a false witness who breathes out lies,    and a man who sows discord among brothers.  (RSV)

These are 7 worst sins:
1)  Proud look, haughty eyes.
2)  Lying tongue.
3)  Hands that shed innocent blood. Killers and murderers.
4)  Heart that devise evil plans/schemes.
5)  Feet that hastily rush into evil.
6)  False witness that speaks lies.
7)  Person who sows discord and disunity, stirs up conflict among friends/relatives/community.

To paraphrase these 7 abominable sins:
1) Pride, haughtiness.
2) Lying, falsehood, fraud.
3) Murder, violent attack, cruelty.
4) Plotting of evil schemes, subtlety, deceitfulness.
5) Ways of evil/wickedness, eagerness to sin.
6) False witness, false testimony.
7) Causing discord, disunity, and stirring up conflicts. Slandering. Making stories and slanderous gossips.

There are sins that affect the self and sins that affect many people.  God's second most important is "Love your neighbour as yourself."

All the 7 sins that are most objected by God are sins against other people, sins against "neighbour."

Saturday, Jan 11. 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%206&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.1-Prov.6.5
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.6-Prov.6.11
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.6.12-Prov.6.19
4)