Proverbs chapter 15 (part 1) - A soft answer turns away wrath #Wise sayings of Solomon

Bible study of Proverbs chapter 15.,verses 1 to 6. Aided with Matthew Henry's Commentaries.


1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2) (NKJV)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 2 The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a]
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly. (Proverbs 15:1-2) (RSV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15"1-2) (NIV)

When the other person is angry, a soft and gentle answer can calm down the anger of the other person. Just remain a little silent when the other person is angry and blurting out. When the person cools off a bit, then only reply but do it gently and softly.

On the other hand, if reply harshly to the angry person, this will cause that person to increase in anger. Result will be more yelling, more heated quarrel.

The wise person speaks words of knowledge, good speech that is constructive. The words of the foolish person are of limited knowledge, vain speech, lack of wisdom.

3 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) (NKJV)

3 3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) (NIV)

God can see everywhere, and everyone at the same time. God can see who is bad and who is good. God can see the wrongdoings and the good deeds. God will reward those with good deeds, and punish those with bad deeds.

4 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (NKJV)

4 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (RSV)

4 4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 1:4) (NIV)

A good tongue which is wholesome, gentle and soothing will bring good life, meaningful life. Good tongue blesses other people. Good tongue brings favour from God and men. Good tongue that glorifies God will bring about eternal life.

But a perverse tongue will bring lots of trouble, argument, quarrel, discord, and disunity. Perverse will cause unhappiness and tension in life.

A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life.

5 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent. (Proverbs 15:5) (NKJV)

5 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but he who heeds admonition is prudent. (Proverbs 15:5) (RSV)

5 5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. (Proverbs 15:5) (NIV)

A prudent person will listen to instruction and correction. A prudent is ever willing to learn from mistake and error. A prudent person is willing to correct his mistake. A prudent person is willing to repent and turn away from bad habits and sinful activities.

A foolish person will despise instruction and correction. A foolish person thinks he is right in his own eyes. 

6 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. (Proverbs 15:6) (NKJV)

6 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. (Proverbs 15:6) (RSV)

6 6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin. (Proverbs 15:6) (NIV)

The righteous will continually good income, and store up the excess money. Hence, the house of the righteous contains much wealth and great treasure. But the wicked will be wasteful with his income, and his income from deceitful means and evil ways may not last forever. Income earned through improper means will bring him his own destruction.


Wednesday, Feb 13, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
1)   http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.1
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.2
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.3
4)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.4
5)

Proverbs chapter 12 (part 2) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes #Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 12.

Summary:  Righteous treat their animals kinder than the wicked treat their friends. Work hard and work smart and be rewarded with abundance of money. The wicked covets the ill-gotten wealth of another wicked person. The righteous will earn income with stability. Careless talk gets the wicked into trouble. Do not over-react when angry. Honest witness vs false witness. Tongue can be hurtful like sword, or healing.

10 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.  (NIV)

10 10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.  (NKJV)

Kindest action of the wicked are cruel in comparison to the least kind action of the righteous.  The righteous treat their animals more kindly than the wicked treat their friends. This is a matter of heart. For the wicked tends to have a wicked heart, having ill intentions. Example: desire to backstab and slander someone in order to "kill" off that someone. Example: to lie and discredit someone in order to climb the corporate ladder and get promoted. Example: desire to deceive and cheat in order to gain extra profit and much money.

A righteous man is not only merciful for his neighbours (friends and relatives), but also to his pet animals and farm animals. This tells the degree of kindness in the heart of a righteous person.

11 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.  (RSV)

11 11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.  (NIV)

11 11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.[b]  (NKJV)

The person who is diligent in his work and business will be rewarded with much money. Work hard and work smart are important principle of wise living. We must be reminded not to do worthless work/activities which is unwise. Examples: trying to get rich by unsuitable manners, such as lottery, gambling, share speculation. Other examples are wasting of time and energy in sinful interests, for instance, extra-marital affairs, drinking in pubs for hours, karaoke for hours at night.

Those who are devoid of understanding waste time by fooling around with friends, drinking, gambling, playing women, partying, clubbing, etc. Excessive "wine, women and song" is not beneficial. It is noted that we should strike a balance: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Despite the fact that we need to work diligently, we also need spare some time for relaxing activities (which are healthy and not sinful). Balance is crucial.

12 12 The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,
    but the root of the righteous stands firm.[a]
13 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.  (RSV)

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
    and so the innocent escape trouble.  (NIV)

12 12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.  (NKJV)

The wicked person desires the wealth and power of another wicked person. We must not be like that. We must not covet the wealth and riches gained through improper means (e.g. deceitful schemes, lies, cheating, unfair business practice). We must not covet the power and honour of the wicked person (e.g. triad chief, gangster, loan shark, brothel boss).

By being righteous in our work, we will be rewarded monetarily. We can be earning stable income doing righteous work.

The bad guys get into trouble with their careless talk, e.g. slanders and gossips. Avoid slandering and gossiping. Avoid chatter that stir up conflicts, arguments and quarrels. Avoid talk that sow discord and disunity.  The righteous through their good speech will be at peace with other people. Even when he is in trouble with his angry customer, for instance, the righteous will be smart with his lips to mitigate the situation and calm the customer.

14 14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.  (RSV)

14 14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.  (NIV)

Our speech and work produce us rewards - money and riches. Good speech will bring us many good things: friendship, respect, honour, favour. Encourage others is a fine example of good speech. Praising others for work well done is another example of good speech.

15 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.  (RSV)

15 15 The way of fools seems right to them,
    but the wise listen to advice.  (NIV)

15 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.  (NKJV)

The foolish person looks at things from his own viewpoint only. The foolish person thinks that he is always right. But the wise person is one who listens to counsel and advice of other people. The wise person looks at things from multiple points of view.

16 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent man ignores an insult.  (RSV)

16 16 Fools show their annoyance at once,
    but the prudent overlook an insult.  (NIV)

16 16 A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.  (NKJV)

When a foolish person becomes angry, he allows his anger to take control of himself. The foolish person overreacts when angry. Do some foolish action which he would later regret.

The wise person may also angry, but is more prudent and able to control his anger. He will try to keep calm when angry, avoiding hasty reactions. He will decide on the action after he has calmed down from anger. Because actions/decisions during anger may later be regretted.

17 17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness utters deceit.  (RSV)

17 17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.  (NIV)

We should speak truth. We should not be false witness, lying with deceitful intent. Related to false witness, is slandering and backstabbing. All these are output from lips of the wicked. We must be careful so NOT to become a false witness.

18 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  (RSV)

18 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  (NIV)

Tongue is very powerful. A slandering tongue can hurt other people like a sword. A tongue sowing discord and disunity can severe the bonds of friendship like a sword. On the contrary, a tongue of encouragement/exhortation can heal a depressed person and make him more optimistic. A tongue of apology can heal many hurts and painful memories.

As righteous believers, we must be careful with our speech. Let our speech be of the beneficial type, one that builds and not destroys, one that encourages and not despises.

Thursday, Jan 23, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
10)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.10
11)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.11
12)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.12
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.13
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.14
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.15
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.16
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.17
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.12.18
19)

Proverbs chapter 10 (part 2) - Wise Sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 10.

Summary: The wise store up knowledge. Wealth of the wise protected and safe like a fortified city. Righteous people works and lives a good life. Control our lips to avoid transgression against other people. Speech of the righteous is esteemed and highly valued, being beneficial to other people. God's blessings includes Riches and Wealth without heavy toil.

Proverbs of Solomon  (NIV).
Wise Sayings of Solomon  (RSV) (NKJV).

14 14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near. (RSV)

14 14 The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.  (NIV)

1414 14 Wise people store up knowledge,
But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.  (NKJV)

Wise people loves to learn, and continually learn. Hence, wise people will gather and store up the knowledge. Whatever knowledge we learn may be useful at other time, so laying up the knowledge is good and beneficial.

On the contrary, the foolish hates learning, just love empty talking. In the long term, due to lack of learning, wisdom and knowledge, this would lead to his own ruins. Example of ruins could be poverty. Because of lack of knowledge and the foolish person's laziness, he will run into poverty and mediocrity.

Because of lack of practical wisdom and self control, the foolish person may get involved in immoral sins, lots of extra marital affairs, hence wasting much of his money, time and effort in satisfying his fleshly lusts and fulfilling his high sexual desires. Despite good income, he will waste off his extra money on all these women and ruin himself.

Because of jealousy and greed for power and status, the foolish person may slander and backstab another person. The habit of slandering will make other people hate this foolish person. In the end, he will many friends, thus ruining himself.

15 15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
    the poverty of the poor is their ruin.  (RSV)

15 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.  (NIV)

15 15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.  (NKJV)

For the wise and rich/wealthy, his wealth is properly stored and secured as if inside a fortified city. The wise and rich will not buy all his money and wealth all into a single instrument/investment form. The wise and rich will put his money and wealth into various forms such as cash into the current/check account, savings account, and term deposit, stocks and shares, gold, unit trusts, loan stocks / debentures, investment into business, property investment, etc.

For the unwise people may not necessarily have the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to preserve the money they earn, hence causing their poverty.

Reasons of poverty are possibly:
1) Good income but waste it on unnecessary expenses (fleshly lust, carnal/worldly desires, lust of the eyes).
2) Good income but not storing up a portion of income. No planned and continual savings.
3) Low income due to lack of knowledge or lack of skills.
4) Low income due to laziness.

In comparison, wisdom is important. Because the wise people love to learn new knowledge and skills, including financial wisdom.

16 16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
    the gain of the wicked to sin.  (RSV)

16 16 The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.  (NIV)

16 16 The labor of the righteous leads to life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.  (NKJV)

The workings of the righteous will result in godly life, a fuller life in this world, a joyous spiritual life, and eternal life. On the contrary, the workings of the wicked result in a sinful life (various types of sins including wicked sins and milder sins), and spiritual death. Income earned through wicked means (e.g. fraud, evil schemes, cheating, stealing, robbing) when come into the hands of the unwise people may be wasted through pride (luxury car, branded watches) and immorality (prostitutes, adultery).

17 17 He who heeds instruction is on the path to life,
    but he who rejects reproof goes astray.  (RSV)

17 17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.  (NIV)

17 17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.  (NKJV)

To be wise, we must listen and take heed of instructions. Learning the instructions and keeping them in our minds and hearts, and doing accordingly is to right/correct way leading to a meaningful and good life in this world as well as good spiritual life.

Living as wise believers, we must also be receptive to reproofs, rebukes and corrections. We must be humble enough to accept reproof. "To err is man, to forgive is divine." We must be willing to humbly admit our weakness and shortcoming. We must not feel offended when reproofed by other brethren, or rebuked by non-believers.

Because those who refuse correction and rebuke due to their pride will not be able to continually improve. Everyone has weakness, shortcomings. Everyone makes error. Be open minded to reproof and rebukes.

Especially for Leaders....If the Leader is making a mistake, the Team member mentions the error and suggest the correction, the Leader must humbly accept the reproof for the sake of himself and the team. If the Leader with huge pride blatantly refused to be corrected and insist on going the wrong direction, he is leading his Team astray, going wrong direction, not meeting the Team objectives.

18 18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and he who utters slander is a fool.
19 19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
   but he who restrains his lips is prudent.  (RSV)

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
    and spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.  (NIV)

"Concealing hatred" may indicate a person with malicious intent, a two-faced person, a person who hides his likes and dislikes. Lying, fraud, cheating, slandering, false accusation...all these are wicked doings of the foolish people.

Foolish people do not refer to non-believers, but I personally think, folly is also in many believers. Believers who do not live fully in wisdom, righteous and godly ways are living in folly. Wisdom is related to God, folly is related to the Devil.

As believers, we should think: How many percent of the time we follow the Wisdom pathway? How many percent of the time we walk in the path of folly?

When we talk a lot, we have higher tendency to transgress and sin. Lips can be a good, beneficial instrument as well as an evil, wicked weapon. How do we want to use our lips?  To sing praises and thanks God?  For beneficial purposes to other people?  Or to gossip, spread rumours and lies, slander and backstabbing? We must control our lips so that our lips do not help us to sin and transgress against other people. Our lips speak of what is in our minds and our hearts. We need to have noble thoughts and hearts of kindness, so that our lips speak forth good and not evil.

20 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the mind of the wicked is of little worth.
21 21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.  (RSV)

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.  (NIV)

Righteous people speak forth good and beneficial sayings. From the lips of the righteous, the talk is good, noble, true, beneficial to other people. The speech of the righteous is highly valued, appreciated and respected by other people.

As believers walking in godly ways, we must speak what is good and right, so that we can be testimony for God's goodness and demonstrate our wisdom. With wise talk, we will be honoured by others for our ways of wisdom.

On the contrary, the mind and heart of the wicked person is lowly regarded by other people. From a wicked mind and wicked hearts, the lips are fully of lies, slander, and destructive speech. The way of the wicked is leading to spiritual death.

22 22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
    and he adds no sorrow with it.[b] (RSV)

22 22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
    without painful toil for it.   (NIV)

22 22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.  (NKJV)

God's blessings can make a person rich and wealth without heavy toil. With little effort, yet abundance of riches and wealth...that is the kind of blessings God could pour out on whom he desires to bless.

Who does God like to bless? In Deuteronomy 28 verses 1-14, God promises to bless abundantly those who obey God.

http://micfood.blogspot.com/2013/12/deuteronomy-281-14-blessings-for.html/

“And if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
8 The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns, and in all that you undertake; and he will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
11 And the Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, within the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you his good treasury the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall tend upward only, and not downward; if you obey the commandments of the Lordyour God, which I command you this day, being careful to do them, 14 and if you do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.  (Extract of Deuteronomy 28:1-14) (RSV)


To be continued the next day...

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+10&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+10&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+10&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.14
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.15
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.16
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.17
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.18
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.19
19)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.20-Prov.10.21
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.10.22
21)