Proverbs chapter 14 (part 3) - In all toil there is profit #Wise sayings of Solomon

Bible study of Proverbs chapter 14 verses 20-27. Aided with Wesley's Explanatory Notes, and Matthew Henry's Commentaries.


20 20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But the rich has many friends.
21 21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (NKJV)

20 20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    but the rich has many friends.
21 21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but happy is he who is kind to the poor. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (RSV)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:20-21) (NIV)

Hated - Despised and abandoned.
Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor.
Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us.
To despise a man for his employment or appearance is a sin.

Friendship in this world is very artificial. If you have lots of money, if could buy your friends gifts, throw a party, buy them food and drinks, you have many friends.

But the poor have few friends. Even his neighbours dislike him, looking down upon him.

The rich may have friends who are not true friends. They may be around for some free food and drinks, for free entertainment. The poor may have fewer friends but these friends are truer because there is no advantage they can get from this poor guy.

Those that are sincere to all friends, including the poor, will be happy and blessed. God looks with favour upon those are good-hearted, those who are good to other people. But the people who are negatively biased toward his poor neighbour, is disdained by God. So let us be nice to our "neighbours", other people around us, rich or poor, great or small.

22 22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. (Proverbs 14:22) (NKJV)

22 22 Do they not err that devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22) (RSV)

22 22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22) (NIV)

Those who plan what is good will be rewarded with love and faithfulness, loyalty and faithfulness, mercy and truth.  Those who plan and do good to friends and relatives will be loved and appreciated by the friends and relatives, and they will also respond by being loyal and faithful and loving.

23 23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter[b] leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23) (NKJV)

23 23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to want. (Proverbs 14:23) (RSV)

23 23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty. (PRoverbs 14:23) (NIV)

The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.
Labour of the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to nothing.

Diligence and hardwork will bring success in career, and success in business, which will bring about more money, riches and wealth. Another person may think of great ideas and ambitious plans, but if he only fantasize about it, if he only talks but takes no action, the reality does not happen and the money does not come in. Idle talk and no action will eventually lead to mediocrity and poverty.

24 24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly. (Proverbs 14:24) (NKJV)

24 24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom,[h]
    but folly is the garland[i] of fools. (Proverbs 14:24) (RSV)

24 24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly. (Proverbs 14:24) (NIV)

The rich, wise person who use his wealth in wise way, honouring God, giving to charitable causes, contributing to gospel missions, will earn much respect and honour. The rich, wise person will be glorified for his good deeds and his smart usage of his money.

The rich, foolish person, on the contrary, may use his money for unhealthy activities, satisfying the many desires of the flesh, and not managing his finances wisely. Whether rich or not, the foolish person's actions are folly.

25 25 A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies. (Proverbs 14:25) (NKJV)

25 25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who utters lies is a betrayer. (Proverbs 14:25) (RSV)

25 25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful. (Proverbs 14:25) (NIV)

Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.
An upright man will venture the ( proverbs 14:26-27 ) Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of death.

In the court of law, when a suspect is falsely accused, the truthful witness is honest in telling the truth. This truth as told by the truthful/honest witness may save the life of the suspect.

False witness or deceitful witness is committing sin by telling lies, or biased answers in the court of law. 

A man of integrity will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light and rescue those who are injured by falsehood. A faithful minister, who truly witnesses for God against sin, is thereby instrumental to deliver souls from eternal death.

26 26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:26-27) (NKJV)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
    and for their children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:20) (NIV)

Fearing the Lord and loving God is like a strong fortress that we could have total faith and full confidence in. Fearing the Lord will help us to live righteously, with good thoughts and speech, good deeds and charitable deeds. We will hence be blessed. Our children will also be blessed due to our good deeds and righteous living. Fearing the Lord is the constant source of a meaningful life in this world and also eternal life. Fearing the Lord will help us to avoid the snare of spiritual death.


Sunday, Feb 9, 2014.
Michael Yeap


NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
Wesley: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/proverbs/proverbs-14.html
Matthew Henry: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-concise/proverbs/14.html

20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.20
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.21
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.22
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.23
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.24
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.25
26)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.26-Prov.14.27
27)

Proverbs chapter 13 (part 2) - Walk with the wise and become wise #Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 13.

Summary: The person who refuse instruction will bring troubles on himself. The person who respects commands and wise teachings will be rewarded with much, including eternal life. Person with good understanding will win favour from God and men. The prudent person makes decision based on knowledge, facts and figures. The foolish who does not heed reproach and discipline will end up with poverty and shame. The company of wise people will increase wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is important to discipline and chastise our children. A good man will have excess money to leave inheritance to his children. The righteous is blessed with enough money to satisfy all his needs.


13 13 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:13-14) (RSV)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:13-14) (NIV)

The person who refuse to be instructed will eventually face many problems. The person who does not learn will not have the knowledge and wisdom to do the right things and say the right things, all these will being trouble upon himself.

On the contrary, the person who respects and learns the instructions and commands will increase in knowledge and wisdom. With better knowledge, wisdom and understanding, he will be rewarded in many ways, including better career, profitable business, respect and honour. He heeds and obeys the wise teachings and eventually make his life more purposeful, more joyous, greater peace and harmony. Hence, be rewarded with eternal life, and avoiding spiritual death.

15 15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (NKJV)

15 15 Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[c]
16 16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (RSV)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]

16 All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,
    but fools expose their folly. (Proverbs 13:15-16) (NIV)

A person with good understanding, good judgement, good sense will speak the right things, do the right things, thus finding favour with God and men. A person with good understanding tends to make good decisions.

The prudent person will make decision based on knowledge, facts and figures. He does not make decision and react based on rumours, gossips, slanders. He does not emotionally-motivated and hasty actions which will be regretted later.

The foolish person is right in his own eyes. He tends to make foolish decisions, say the wrong things. His actions and speech reflect his lack of wisdom and understanding.

17 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health. (Proverbs 13:17) (NKJV)

17 17 A bad messenger plunges men into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing. (Proverbs 13:17) (RSV)

17 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. (Proverbs 13:17) (NIV)

When a state is warring with another state, a messenger or ambassador is often sent for sending message and negotiations. A bad/wicked messenger may misrepresent the one who sends him. Bad messenger may distort the message or say the wrong things, thus bring trouble to himself and the state/person who sends him. Bad messenger may also reveal particulars about his side to the enemy side. 

On the contrary, the faithful and trustworthy ambassador can effectively represent his state. He can speak wisely with gentle words that bring about peace. He can negotiate an amicable peace agreement. He understands what is required by his state/person who sends him.

As faithful believers, we should strive to be faithful and trustworthy ambassadors of Christ. We should effectively represent Christ in our lives, in our speech and deeds, in our attitude and behavior.

18 18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (NKJV)

18 18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but he who heeds reproof is honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (RSV)

18 18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18) (NIV)

The person who does not heed instruction, discipline, and correction, will end up with poverty and shame. For instance, by not learning and correcting his errors, he will not acquire much knowledge. With limited knowledge, he will not earn sufficient income. Or, he earns reasonable income, but due to folly in financial matters, he wastes his money. Eventual result is poverty. With low knowledge and no sense/understanding, he will make so many errors which will bring shame upon himself. His life is full of repeated mistakes.

On the contrary, the wise person who is willing to heed correction, reproach and rebuke will always learn from his errors and mistakes. He will gradually increase in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He will speak the right things, do the right things. His speech and deeds will win him  favour and honour from God and men.

19 19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul;
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. (Proverbs 13:19) (RSV)

19 19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but fools detest turning from evil. (Proverbs 13:19) (NIV)

For everyone, having a fulfilled desired brings lots of joys, happiness and satisfaction. For the foolish people, they have no desire to turn away from evil, to turn away from sinful works. The foolish people continue in sin, without any intention to repent.

20 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) (NKJV)

20 20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20) (NIV)

20 20 He who walks with wise men becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20) (RSV)

The wise person normally will mix around with other wise people, and becomes wiser. The company of wise people enable the sharing of knowledge and ideas will increase the wisdom and understanding.

On the contrary, mixing around with foolish people with lots of bad habits and unhealthy activities will influence the person toward that tendency. Examples of foolish and bad habits/activities include orgy, excessive partying, drinking and getting drunk, gambling, sex with prostitutes, drug abuse, gossip, slandering. 

21 21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. (Proverbs 13:21) (NJV)

21 21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
    but prosperity rewards the righteous. (Proverbs 13:21) (RSV)

21 21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good things. (Proverbs 13:21) (NIV)

People who live sinful life will eventually face trouble and misfortune. For example, a man who has adultery with somebody's wife will sooner or later be discovered, and will face trouble with his wife and the woman's husband. For example, the man who steals may face prosecution and imprisonment upon conviction. For example, a man who drinks excessively and gets drunk often may be involved with road accident due to drunk driving, or his liver becomes liver cirrhosis, bring himself various health problems.

The righteous who live a good and healthy lifestyle will be rewarded with many good things, such as good health, successful career, profitable business, respect and honour, happy family life, and also eternal life.

22 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22) (NKJV)

22 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22) (NIV)

A good, righteous person is blessed with abundance. Being wise, he stores his extra money in assets and investments. He will be able to leave a significant inheritance for his children and his children's children. A good person thinks far ahead.

A sinner's excess money is likely wasted on unimportant things, fleshly lust, carnal and worldly desires, lusts of the eyes. Because of folly in managing finances, he will have little inheritance left for his children. His excess money goes to unnecessary expenses, into other people's pocket.

23 23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away. (Proverbs 13:23) (NIV)

23 23 The fallow ground of the poor yields much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice. (Proverbs 13:23) (RSV)

Although the land may be inferior (such as hilly land, rocky soil, unfertile land), through industrious labour, the poor may still yield much food from the land. But if the land is not worked on, it will be wasted and nothing is produced.

24 24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24) (NKJV)

24 24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24) (RSV)

24 24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24) (NIV)

It is important to discipline and chastise our children. They will not die from the discipline, chastisement and punishment. If they are not disciplined, they may grow up in wicked ways, which will be more destructive. It is better to chastise and guide them along the path of righteousness, speaking the right things, doing the right things, having good habits and attitudes.

25 25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want. (Proverbs 13:25) (NKJV)

25 25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want. (Proverbs 13:25) (RSV)

25 25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. (Proverbs 13:25) (NIV)

The righteous person works diligently, do the right things, and will be rewarded with enough money and even abundance. Philippians 4: 19 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The righteous will have all his needs fulfilled, enough food on the table, enough money to fulfil every need. 

But the wicked wastes his money on his sinful habits, such as gambling, womanizing, partying and drinking. The wicked may also be sluggish and lazy, hence earning less income. With less income and more expenses, and foolish handling of finances, the wicked/foolish has not enough money to fulfil all his needs. Instead of fulfilling his needs and his family's needs, he wastes money on wants and wishes.



Thursday, Feb 6, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.13
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.14
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.15
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.16
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.17
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.18
19)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.19
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.20
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.21
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.22
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.23
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.24
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.13.25