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 11 (part 4) - One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer. Wise sayings of Solomon

Proverbs chapter 11.

Summary: Evildoers will be punished. Righteous people desire what is good, and eventual outcome is all good. The wicked will end up with God's wrath and punishment. Kind-hearted givers will be rewarded with riches and wealth. Generous person will prosper. Hoarding is bad business practice. Seeking the good, heavenly things will make the righteous prosper. Do not overly trust on world riches. Righteous will gain the tree of life.

21 21 Be assured, an evil man will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will be delivered.
22 22 Like a gold ring in a swine’s snout    is a beautiful woman without discretion.  (RSV)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.  (NIV)

We are reminded that those who do evil and live sinful lives will be punished eventually. Those who live righteous lives will be delivered and be saved.

A foolish woman without discretion is compared to a pig, which is a most disliked animal of the Jews. A foolish woman without discretion is figurative for carnal and worldly desires, fleshly lust, lust of the eyes.

23 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.  (RSV)

23 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.  (NIV)

What is wanted by the righteous person are beneficial, and will be granted by God. All good things come to the righteous person. Multitude of blessings will come upon the righteous.

For the wicked person, his future will be the wrath of God. God will punish the bad, the wicked, and the evildoers.

23
24 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  (NIV)

24 24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,But it leads to poverty.  (NKJV)

God rewards the person who gives freely for worthy causes. The person who gives freely his money, time and effort to the needy will receive much more, and reap abundantly. On contrast, the person who sees a need and withhold from aiding that need...may eventually have less, because the less he sows, the less blessings he will reap.

It is possible a man may grow rich by prudently spending what he has, may scatter in works of piety, charity, and generosity, and yet may increase; nay, by that means may increase, as the corn is increased by being sown. By cheerfully using what we have our spirits are exhilarated, and so fitted for the business we have to do, by minding which closely what we have is increased; it gains a reputation which contributes to the increase. But it is especially to be ascribed to God; he blesses the giving hand, and so makes it a getting hand, 2 Cor. 9:10. Give, and it shall be given you.

25 25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.  (NKJV)

25 A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.  (NIV)

A generous person will be favoured by other people; this is beneficial for business. A favoured businessman may get repeated business, many repeat orders. Hence, his business may prosper and continue to grow and expand. Generosity is a good business principle!

Luke 6:38 is one of my all-time favorite verses.
give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”  (NIV)

Hoarding of goods to force the shortage of goods and increase the market price of goods is a bad business practice. Businessman should carry out business in fair and win-win scenario. We must remember that God hates businessman who cheats and deceives others.

We have to wise and careful with our abundance. When in crisis situation, do we take out our abundance to help and benefit others in the crisis? Do we offer our help? Do offer our professional advice when required? Do we lend when there is a pressing need?

27 27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.  (NKJV)

The person who seeks good things will favour from God and men. We must seek things which are good, pure, noble, right. "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these shall be given to you." We should put God first, and seek first the heavenly assets. When we prioritize on God and heavenly matters, all our worldly needs will also be fulfilled.

But for those who seek evil (fleshly lust, worldly and carnal desires, lusts of the eyes) and live sinful lives, evil (troubles, tribulations, tragedies, disasters, mishaps) may happen to them.

28 28 He who trusts in his riches will wither,[a]
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.  (RSV)

28 28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.  (NIV)

The righteous person will put his trust in God, and will always continue to live on in peace, in joy. But for the person who trust in riches and money. this is futile because money and riches are only for this world. Money and riches cannot be brought forward to heaven. So we believers must live with proper balance, priority to God, yet diligent and hardworking in our work and business to enable us to earn a decent income with money to spare. Though we should pay attention to heavenly treasure, we must not be lazy and slothful because God hates laziness. Though we need heavenly treasure, we also need to earn money and lay up some world treasure for our livelihood.

29 29 He who troubles his household will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.  (RSV)

29 29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.  (NIV)

29 29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.  (NKJV)


Whoever is causing conflict and discord in his family, whoever is causing family feuds, whoever creating chaos in his family, he will cause himself much trouble and unrest. Like to effect of strong wind, his family will not be stable, will be shaken. Much unhappiness will be experienced by him and his family.

We need to be wise to handle various matters and issues in our family. We need to maintain love, joy, peace and harmony in the family.

The foolish person will eventually become as servant to the wise person. The wise person will earn more money and gather more riches and wealth than the foolish. The wise will be honoured by God and men, the foolish may not necessary be respected. The wise will eventually be much better off than the foolish.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!  (NIV)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.

31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.  (NKJV)

The righteous person will gain the tree of life, with many good fruits for a good life on this earth, as well as good fruits for the eternal life. Those who win souls (bring over the wicked/bad person to the path of righteousness) are wise, and doing correctly. The righteous will be much rewarded, not only in heaven, but also in this world. We believers have many incentives, benefits, and blessing for living righteous lives in this world.

On the contrary, those who live foolish and sinful lives, will also be rewarded but in a negative way. Punishment is waiting for those choose to live wickedly.


Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=RSV

NKJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11&version=NKJV

Commentaries:
19)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.21
20)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.22
21)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.23
22)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.24
23)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.25
24)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.26
25)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.27
26)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.28
27)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.29
28)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.30
29)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.11.31