Day 14 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 14  Wealthy people don't have much trouble finding "friends."  Everyone admires them for their interesting lives, their cool stuff, and what they might do for others.  The trouble wealthy people have is figuring out who's really a friend and who just loves them because they're rich.  What would happen if they lost it all?  Would their "friends" still stand by them? Poor people don't have that problem.  They don't have much to offer in terms of material possessions or money.  They spend most of their time and energy just trying to make it from day to day; they don't have much left to give.  When a needy person comes around, they're probably not there just to say "hello" or see how you're doing.  They're likely coming to ask for help.  If you help, they may not be able pay you back or return the favor. However, they may ask for your help again soon.  You can count on it and it can become very wearisome. Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs 14:20, 21, & 31 20 Everyone hates the poor, even those closest to them; but the rich have lots of “friends.” 21 God hates it when people look down on those closest to them, but He blesses those who give a hand up to the poor. 31 People who oppress the poor insult the One who made them, but people honor God when they give a hand up to help those in need. The wise person learns to see people as God sees them and treats them accordingly.  Everyone--rich and poor--is a beautiful creation of God.  We must look beyond the glitter of wealth and the dirt of poverty to see the child of God who is beneath it all.  Love is sacrificial.  It's what you do for others not what they do for you or how they make you feel.  It's easy to love people who have it all together, but a wise person treats the poor with dignity and love because it honors God. Prayer "Jesus, you said there would always be poor among us (Mark 14:7).  Help me not to be frustrated.  Teach me to love the way You love.  Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 14
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 14 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked 1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod [a]for his back, But the lips of the wise will protect them. 4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. 5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness [b]utters lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not [c]discern [d]words of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit. 9 Fools mock at [e]sin, But among the upright there is [f]good will. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied [g]with his. 15 The [h]naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps. 16 A wise man [i]is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. 18 The [j]naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. 21 He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the [k]poor. 22 Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. 23 In all labor there is profit, But [l]mere talk leads only to poverty. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness. 25 A truthful witness saves lives, But he who [m]utters lies is [n]treacherous. 26 In the [o]fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And [p]his children will have refuge. 27 The [q]fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. 28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin. 29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is [r]quick-tempered exalts folly. 30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones. 31 He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. 32 The wicked is thrust down by his [s]wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the [t]hearts of fools it is made known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. 35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully. Footnotes: a.    Proverbs 14:3 Lit of pride b.    Proverbs 14:5 Lit breathes out c.    Proverbs 14:7 Lit know d.    Proverbs 14:7 Lit lips e.    Proverbs 14:9 Lit guilt f.    Proverbs 14:9 Or the favor of God g.    Proverbs 14:14 Lit from himself h.    Proverbs 14:15 Lit simple i.     Proverbs 14:16 Lit fears j.     Proverbs 14:18 Lit simple k.    Proverbs 14:21 Or afflicted l.     Proverbs 14:23 Lit word of lips m.   Proverbs 14:25 Lit breathes out n.    Proverbs 14:25 Lit treachery o.    Proverbs 14:26 Or reverence p.    Proverbs 14:26 Or His q.    Proverbs 14:27 Or reverence r.     Proverbs 14:29 Lit short of spirit s.    Proverbs 14:32 Or calamity t.     Proverbs 14:33 Lit inward part	Proverbs 14 1 A wise woman builds up her family, but a foolish one tears it down all by herself. 2 People who live right revere the Lord, but those who are crooked despise Him. 3 The arrogant boasts of fools become a stick with which to beat them, but a wise person says things that keep them safe. 4 A stable without oxen stays nice and clean, but there is so much to be gained from the ox’s strength. 5 A witness you can trust doesn’t lie, but a fraud is full of hot air. 6 A sarcastic fool never really becomes wise, but it’s easy for people with a proper perspective. 7 Don’t hang around with fools, because all they offer is ignorance. 8 Wise people have a plan and know where they’re heading; fools mislead themselves. 9 Fools laugh off their sin, but people who live right receive grace. 10 You never fully know the agony in someone else's soul, and strangers can’t really share their joy. 11 The palace where the ungodly live is demolished, but the tent of the godly will flourish. 12 People will see a road that seems to go the right way, but it leads to death. 13 People can laugh even when their heart is hurting; but when the fun is over, the grief is still there. 14 People get what they deserve when they give up and go back to their old ways. Those who keep doing good get a better reward. 15 Naive people believe everything they hear, but a shrewd person sees what's really going on. 16 A smart person carefully avoids evil, but stupid people rush right to it assured everything will be okay. 17 A hot head loses their temper and makes dumb mistakes; those who plan to do evil are truly hateful. 18 The naive will always be easy to mislead; people devoted to learning find out what's really going on. 19 Evil people are ashamed in the presence of the good. The ungodly are locked outside and long for the goodness of those who live right. 20 Everyone hates the poor, even those closest to them; but the rich have lots of “friends.” 21 God hates it when people look down on those closest to them, but He blesses those who give a hand up to the poor. 22 Haven’t people who silently plot evil gone off course? But those who plan good receive kindness and loyalty. 23 Hard work pays off; empty words get you nowhere. 24 Smart people are awarded riches as their crown, but the stupidity of fools is ridiculous. 25 Honest testimony saves lives, but a liar betrays. 26 Someone who reveres the Lord is bold and full of hope--even their kids are safe. 27 Deep reverence for God is the source of life; it steers you clear of every death trap out there. 28 A leader’s prestige is their many followers; it’s all over without the people. 29 It’s really smart to be patient and have thick skin; a hot-head with a short fuse is a fool. 30 A peaceful mind makes the body healthy too, but a heart burning with envy will eat you up from the inside out. 31 People who oppress the poor insult the One who made them, but people honor God when they give a hand up to help those in need. 32 The ungodly are cast out because of their own crimes, but those who live right trust God even in death. 33 A person who knows the way things are has wisdom living inside them. It’s obvious when they’re surrounded by fools. 34 What makes a nation great is when its people live the right way. Sin is a humiliation that requires mercy and correction. 35 A leader is pleased with a careful and tactful assistant, but angrily scolds those who disgrace and disappoint.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs (PCP) Copyright © 2018 by Chris Mullis