Proverbs chapter 15 (part 3) - Plans fail for lack of counsel #Wise sayings of Solomon

Bible study of Proverbs chapter 15, verses 21 to 27. Aided with Matthew Henry Commentary.


21 21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly. (Proverbs 15:21) (NKJV)

21 21 Folly is a joy to him who has no sense,
    but a man of understanding walks aright.(Proverbs 15:21) (RSV)

21 21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21) (NIV)

The wise person who has understanding will choose to live a life which is upright, with good deeds. A good and righteous life will bring about riches and wealth, happiness and joy, peace and security, a meaningful life and eternal life.

For the foolish person devoid of understanding will choose to live a life of folly, with many bad and unhealthy activities. Living a foolish life will lead to many problems, troubles, and spiritual death. The foolish person enjoys living a sinful life.

22 22 Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22) (NKJV)

22 22 Without counsel plans go wrong,
    but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22) (RSV)

22 22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22) (NIV)

Plans are more likely to be successful if we take in and consider multiple ideas, and multiple points of view. A wise leader will listen to the advice/counsel and ideas of other people, compare and analyze the options, and eventually decide on the best course of action.

If plans are made on only one person's idea, the plan may or may not be successful. That person has a tendency to think from one point of view only. Hence, it is better to consider multiple points of views, multiple ideas, multiple advices.

23 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23) (RSV)

23 23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
    and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23) (NIV)

It is a good thing to be able to give a wise and appropriate reply. This will be a joy and gladness to person who replies, and sweet to the ears for the person receiving the reply. Wisdom in speech is very important as one of the principles of wisdom.

We speak wisely when we speak seasonably: The answer of the mouthwill be our credit and joy when it is pertinent and to the purpose, and is spoken in due season, when it is needed and will be regarded, and, as we say, hits the joint. Many a good word comes short of doing the good it might have done, for want of being well-timed.

24 24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, 
That he may turn away from hell[d] below. (Proverbs 15:24) (NKJV)

24 24 The wise man’s path leads upward to life,
    that he may avoid Sheol beneath. (Proverbs 15:24) (RSV)

24 24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. (Proverbs 15:24) (NIV)

The wise and prudent person lives a life leading to eternal life, leading to heaven. His path is away from spiritual death.

 A good man sets his affections on things above, and deals in those things. His conversation is in heaven; his way leads directly thither; there his treasure is, above, out of the reach of enemies, above the changes of this lower world. A good man is truly noble and great; his desires and designs are high, and he lives above the common rate of other men. It is above the capacity and out of the sight of foolish men.

25 25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow. (Proverbs 15:25) (NKJV)

25 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
     but maintains the widow’s boundaries. (Proverbs 15:25) (RSV)

25 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. (Proverbs 15:25) (NIV)

God protects the assets of the lowly citizens because God loves the humble people. God hates the proud person, and will punish the proud by destruction of his business empire, his huge estate, his vast properties. To be blessed by God, we must appreciate God and remain humble. We must not be proud and conceited when God bless us with riches and wealth. If we are blessed with greater riches and wealth as compared to other people, we must be ever so thankful and express our continual gratitude to God, acknowledging God for the blessings, and always remain humble.

The proud, that magnify themselves, bid defiance to the God above them and trample on all about them, are such as God resists andwill destroy, not them only, but their houses, which they are proud of and are confident of the continuance and perpetuity of. Pride is the ruin of multitudes.

26 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
But the words of the pure are pleasant. (Proverbs 15:26) (NKJV)

26 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    the words of the pure are pleasing to him.[b]  (Proverbs 15:26) (RSV)

26 26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
    but gracious words are pure in his sight. (Proverbs 15:26) (NIV)

Good thoughts and good words are liked by God. God likes people with pure and noble thoughts, wise and gracious words. Gracious words should be spoken to other people. It is no point to speak good only to God and speak wickedly to other people. For God's greatest commandments are to love our God, and to love our neighbours.

God hates the wicked thoughts of the wicked people. Not only God hates the wrong doings which are already committed, God also hates the evil and deceitful thoughts. Because wrong doings start from the evil heart and the evil thoughts.

The former part of this verse speaks of thoughts, the latter of words, but they come all to one; for thoughts are words to God, and words are judged of by the thoughts from which they proceed, so that, 1. The thoughts and words of the wicked, which are, like themselves, wicked, which aim at mischief, and have some ill tendency or other, are an abomination to the Lord; he is displeased at them and will reckon for them. The thoughts of wicked men, for the most part, are such as God hates, and are an offence to him.

27 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27) (NKJV)

27 27 He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his household,
    but he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27) (RSV)

27 27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs15:27) (NIV)

We must practice fair business practices and ethics in business and work. The person who takes bribes will somehow bias positively toward the bribe giver, hence, breeding an unfair business practice. Other forms of unfairness are also not acceptable. Business practice should be on win-win basis, all contracts and agreements should be fair and win-win for all parties concerned.


Friday, Feb 14, 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:

20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.21
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.22
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.23
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.24
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.25
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.26
26)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.27
27)  

Proverbs chapter 15 (part 2) - The lips of the wise disperse knowledge #Wise sayings of Solomon

Bible study of Proverbs chapter 14, verses 7 to 20. Aided with Matthew Henry's Commentary.


7 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so. (Proverbs 15:7) (NKJV)

7 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools. (Provers 15:7) (RSV)

7 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
    but the hearts of fools are not upright. (Proverbs 15:7) (NIV)

The wise person has much knowledge, wisdom and understanding. When the wise person speaks, his speech and words contain knowledge. The wise does not speak vainly. His words are good, useful, and contains knowledge.

On the contrary, the foolish person does a lot of empty and vain talk. Talk that is not constructive. The foolish talks about the latest rumour, gossip and hearsay. The foolish lied and spreads deceitful schemes. The foolish spreads words leading to discord and disunity.

We must take pains to spread and propagate useful knowledge, must teach some that they may teach others, and so it is dispersed.

8 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who follows righteousness. (Proverbs 15:8-9) (NKJV)

8 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him who pursues righteousness. (Proverbs 15:8-9) (RSV)

8 8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
9 9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness. (Proverbs 15:8-9) (NIV)

For whatever done by the righteous is pleasing to the Lord. Prayer and offering of the upright is pleasing to God. Because God love those who live in the way of righteousness, saying good stuff, doing good deeds.

But offering and prayer of the wicked is hated by God. Because God hates crooked ways, bad ways. God hates everything that is not right.

God so hates wicked people, whose hearts are malicious and their lives mischievous, that even their sacrifices are an abomination to him. God has sacrifices brought him even by wicked men, to stop the mouth of conscience and to keep up their reputation in the world, as malefactors come to a sanctuary, not because it is a holy place, but because it shelters them from justice; but their sacrifices, though ever so costly, are not accepted of God, because not offered in sincerity nor from a good principle.

10 10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die. (Proverbs 15:10) (NKJV)

10 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    he who hates reproof will die. (Proverbs 15:10) (RSV)

10 10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die. (Proverbs 15:10) (NIV)

For the person who leaves the path of righteousness, God may chastise or punish him severely. But the purpose of the chastisement and punishment is to wake him up, and make him turn back to the path of righteousness again. 

But the person who hates to be reprooved or corrected will face spiritual death.
Those who cannot bear to be corrected must expect to be destroyed. It is common for those who have known the way of righteousness, but have forsaken it, to reckon it a great affront to be reproved and admonished. 

11 11 Hell[a] and Destruction[b] are before the Lord;
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. (Proverbs 15:11) (NKJV)

11 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord
    how much more the hearts of men! (Proverbs 15:11) (RSV)

11 11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord—
    how much more do human hearts! (Proverbs 15:11) (MIV)

God’s omnipresence, in order to his judging of evil and good. 1. God knows all things, even those things that are hidden from the eyes of all living: Hell and destruction are before the Lord, not only the centre of the earth, and its subterraneous caverns, but the grave, and all the dead bodies which are there buried out of our sight; they are allbefore the Lord, all under his eye, so that none of them can be lost or be to seek when they are to be raised again.

God can see through the heart of every person. God knows our every desire, our every hidden thoughts, our in-depth emotions.

12 12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise. (Proverbs 15:12) (NKJV)

12 12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise. (Proverbs 15:12) (RSV)

12 12 Mockers resent correction,
    so they avoid the wise. (Proverbs 15:12) (NIV)

A scoffer is an unwise person who is right in his own eyes. He does not like to be reproved nor corrected. He is blind to his own mistakes and errors. He refuse to turn from the path of sinful living to the path of righteous living. He refuse to learn from the wise person, he even avoids the wise person. He avoids the source of wisdom, avoiding reading the Bible, avoiding listening to sermons, avoiding Christian TV programs. He just closes his ears to Wisdom, and to God.

13 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13) (NKJV)

13 13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13) (RSV)

13 13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
    but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13) (NIV)

Feeling of happiness, gladness and joy will make our face also look happy and cheerful. To look happy, we need to have joy and happiness in our heart. To be truly happy, we should do thing that will make us happy, for example, good deeds, charity, hobby and interests. Nobody will feel happy doing evil to others, cheating others. We must not do things that will eventually cause us heartbreak. Having an extremely high ambition that cannot be realistically achieved is an example of potential heartache. Dating the wrong guy or girl who is flirtatious an non-committed is another example of potential heartache.

14 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. (Proverbs 15:14) (NKJV)

14 14 The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly. (Proverbs 15:14) (RSV)

14 14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. (Proverbs 15:14) (NIV)

The wise person who has understanding and discerning mind will always want to learn and seek knowledge. The wise person who has understanding and knowledge is humble enough to continually want to gain more knowledge.

The foolish person, on the contrary, is focused on empty talk, gossip, and non-beneficial knowledge. Whatever knowledge the foolish tries to gain is folly, relatively speaking. Latest gossip about some pop singer and top actors/actresses is not beneficial knowledge. Latest rumour about which stock will rise and fall are hearsay that have no credibility, and may lead to many stock speculators losing huge sum of money.

15 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15) (NKJV)

15 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15) (RSV)

15 15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15) (NIV)

The person who is happy and cheerful seem to in feasting mood all the time. We should try to control our feelings. If we can maintain a positive outlook, we will more easily become happy and cheerful.

For the person who is afflicted, for example, chronic sickness with pain, everyday is a bad, painful day. Everyday, the outlook is negative. 

16 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 17 Better is a dinner of herbs[c] where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred. (Proverbs 15:16-17) (NKJV)

16 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fatted ox and hatred with it. (Proverbs 15:16-17) (RSV)

16 16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil. 17 17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred. (Proverbs 15:16-17) (NIV)

It is better to have a little wealth and loving God. It is better to have a mediocre, vegetarian dinner with love, with a loving family. Love is great and very important. Love is so good that great wealth or a little wealth does not really matter. Love is so good that it does not matter that we eat mediocre food or rich food. Love is indeed the very important element in our life, love for God, as well as love of our family and friends.

No point to have great wealth if it costs us a lot of trouble and unhappiness. An expensive dinner is not good if eating with enemies and hatred.

18 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention. (Proverbs 15:18) (NKJV)

18 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. (Proverbs 15:18) (RSV)

18 18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18) (NIV)

When there is a misunderstanding, the person who is slow to anger will with his slow reaction and calm words be able to pacify the misunderstanding. A peaceable solution could be reached. But if the person is hot tempered, he will raise his voice, aggravate the matter, the other party also raising voice, and the slight misunderstanding progress to a heated argument, may be a quarrel.

 Thence come wars and fightings. Anger strikes the fire which sets cities and churches into a flame: A wrathful man, with his peevish passionate reflections, stirs up strife, and sets people together by the ears; he gives occasion to others to quarrel, and takes the occasion that others give, though ever so trifling. When men carry their resentments too far, one quarrel still produces another. 

19 19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway. (Proverbs 15:19) (NKJV)

19 19 The way of a sluggard is overgrown with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a level highway. (Proverbs 15:19) (RSV)

19 19 19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a highway. (Proverbs 15:19) (NIV)

Idleness and laziness is a big stumbling block. Idleness and laziness will prevent a person from a smooth life, from a comfortable life with enough money. Idleness and sluggishness will bring about mediocrity and poverty. For the upright who is diligent and hardworking, this journey of life will be smooth and easy, just like a highway.

Those that have no heart to their work pretend that their way is hedged up with thorns, and they cannot do their work at all (as if God were a hard Master, reaping where he had not sown), at least that their way is strewed with thorns, that they cannot do their work without a great deal of hardship and danger; and therefore they go about it with as much reluctance as if they were to go barefoot through a thorny hedge. 

20 20 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother. (Proverbs 15:20) (NKJV)

20 20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother. (Proverbs 15:20) (NIV)

The wisdom of person will bring joy and gladness to his parents. All parents will be happy if their children are wise and good. But if the children are living their lives foolishly, with many wrongdoings, this will bring shame and disgrace to the parents,....as if the foolish child despise his parents.


Thursday, 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

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

Commentaries:
7)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.7
8)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.8
9)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.9
10)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.10
11)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.11
12)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.12
13)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.13
14)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.14
15)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.15
16)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.16-Prov.15.17
17)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.18
18)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.19
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.15.20
21)