Day 27 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 27  A wise person takes care of the people and things most important to them--your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your boss, your employees, your health, your essentials... Always put these first and you will reap the rewards. Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 27:18, & 23-27 18 If you take care of a fig tree, you get to eat its fruit.  If you take care of your boss, your boss will take care of you. 23-27 Know what’s really going on with your flock; pay close attention to them.  Money doesn’t last forever and you might not always be in charge, but if your flock is well fed and you’ve stored up hay for the hard times, you can make clothes from your sheep’s wool and sell your goats for good profit and you’ll always have enough milk to feed yourself, your family, and everyone who’s important to you. Know who and what's really important to you. Pray for them constantly. Think about what they need and how to care for them. Take the initiative and be attentive. Always do more than is expected. Prayer "Lord, make me aware of those people and things that really matter to me.  Help me to know how to really bless them and care for them that I may do all I can to tend the flock you've given me.  Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 27
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 27 Warnings and Instructions 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. 4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But [a]deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 7 A sated [b]man [c]loathes honey, But to a famished [d]man any bitter thing is sweet. 8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his [e]home. 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a [f]man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away. 11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me. 12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The [g]naive proceed and pay the penalty. 13 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for an [h]adulterous woman hold him in pledge. 14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned a curse to him. 15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike; 16 He who would [i]restrain her [j]restrains the wind, And [k]grasps oil with his right hand. 17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. 18 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored. 19 As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. 20 [l]Sheol and [m]Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied. 21 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each is tested by the praise accorded him. 22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him. 23 Know well the [n]condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations. 25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, 26 The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field, 27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens. Footnotes: Proverbs 27:6 Or excessive Proverbs 27:7 Lit soul Proverbs 27:7 Lit tramples on Proverbs 27:7 Lit soul \ Proverbs 27:8 Lit place Proverbs 27:9 Lit soul’s Proverbs 27:12 Lit simple Proverbs 27:13 Lit strange Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s) Proverbs 27:16 Lit hide(s) Proverbs 27:16 Lit encounters Proverbs 27:20 I.e. The nether world Proverbs 27:20 I.e. the place of destruction Proverbs 27:23 Lit face	Proverbs 27 1 Don't brag about tomorrow, because it's not here yet and you have no idea what might really happen between now and then. 2 Let someone else sing your praises instead of doing it yourself--a stranger’s boast is better than your own. 3 A stone is heavy and a bag of sand is heavier, but the trouble caused by a fool heavier than both. 4 Someone who’s furious is cruel; anger can overwhelm, but jealousy is the worst emotion of all. 5 It’s better to be publicly corrected than secretly loved. 6 A few well-intentioned wounds from a friend are much better than a thousand kisses from an enemy. 7 Someone who’s already full will turn down dessert, but even bitter food taste good when you’re starving. 8 Someone who wanders away from home is like a baby bird who falls out of the nest. 9 A friend’s heartfelt advice has a sweet smelling scent to a troubled soul. 10 Always be there for your friends and your family’s friends; and count on your neighbors when you have trouble of your own.  A neighbor who lives nearby is better than a brother who lives far away. 11 Son, be wise and make me proud; you’ll be my answer to anyone who looks down on me. 12 A careful person sees trouble coming and steers clear; someone naive walks right into it and suffers the consequences. 13 Only give a loan if the cosigner has collateral; go ahead and take the collateral if they’re cosigning for a stranger. 14 Your neighbor will see a loud, cheerful blessing as a curse if you give it early in the morning. 15-16 A wife who always argues is like a leaky roof on a rainy day--drip, drip, drip!  You’ll have as much success keeping her happy as you will stopping the wind or holding a slippery bottle with oily hands. 17 People sharpen each other like steel sharpening a blade. 18 If you take care of a fig tree, you get to eat its fruit.  If you take care of your boss, your boss will take care of you. 19 A person’s heart reveals who they really are as clearly as a mirror shows you your own face. 20 People are never satisfied with what they already have just like Death always wants more people in the grave. 21 Fire purifies silver and gold, and people are tested by how they handle praise. 22 You can never take the foolishness out of a fool, no matter how finely you grind and sift them. 23-27 Know what’s really going on with your flock; pay close attention to them.  Money doesn’t last forever and you might not always be in charge, but if your flock is well fed and you’ve stored up hay for the hard times, you can make clothes from your sheep’s wool and sell your goats for good profit and you’ll always have enough milk to feed yourself, your family, and everyone who’s important to you.
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

Day 26 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 26  You don't always have to prove you're right and it's futile to argue with fools anyway. Why waste time on futility that will just make you look silly? Better to focus on something more rewarding and productive. Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 26:3-5, & 12 3 You drive a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with switch to the back. 4-5 Don’t try to answer every ridiculous argument a fool makes. You’ll just sound foolish like them.  Set a fool straight only when you must; show how absurd their “wisdom” really is. 12 Fools have a better chance than people who think they know it all. It's best to just ignore fools when they spout nonsense about something that doesn't really matter. However, you need to speak up if it's something important. When you do, don't get sucked into their way of thinking and arguing. Don't build your case on their flawed thinking. Start with the truth and expose their folly so they don't lead themselves or anyone else astray. Prayer "Holy Spirit, help me to see when my thinking is wrong-headed. Guide me gently to the Truth. Help me to be wise and know when it is best to just ignore foolish reasoning and when it is time to set someone straight. Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 26
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 26 Similitudes, Instructions 1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 2 Like a sparrow in its [a]flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not [b]alight. 3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes. 6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool. 7 Like the legs which [c]are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8 Like [d]one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool. 9 Like a thorn which [e]falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10 [f]Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by. 11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats [g]his folly. 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is [h]in the open square!” 14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can [i]give a discreet answer. 17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and [j]meddles with strife not belonging to him. 18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?” 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle  strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the [k]innermost parts of the body. 23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24 He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his [l]heart. 25 When [m]he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates [n]those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes: Proverbs 26:2 Lit wandering Proverbs 26:2 Lit come Proverbs 26:7 Lit hang down from Proverbs 26:8 Lit the binding of Proverbs 26:9 Lit goes up Proverbs 26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But he who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by Proverbs 26:11 Lit with his Proverbs 26:13 Lit within Proverbs 26:16 Lit return discreetly Proverbs 26:17 Lit infuriates himself Proverbs 26:22 Lit chambers of the belly Proverbs 26:24 Lit inward part Proverbs 26:25 Lit his voice is gracious Proverbs 26:28 Lit its crushed ones	Proverbs 26 1 It doesn't snow in the summer and you don't want rain during the harvest and honor doesn't belong with fools. 2 A curse you don’t deserve is less likely to hurt you than a little bird is to land on your head. 3 You drive a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with switch to the back. 4-5 Don’t try to answer every ridiculous argument a fool makes. You’ll just sound foolish like them. Set a fool straight only when you must; show how absurd their “wisdom” really is. 6 Entrusting an important message to a fool makes about as much sense as cutting off your own foot or drinking poison. 7 A wise saying from a fool is about as useless as a paralyzed leg. 8 Giving honor to a fool is like tying a stone to your slingshot. 9 A fool with a wise saying is like a drunk grabbing a stick full of thorns. 10 Someone who hires fools or some random stranger walking by is like a careless archer who doesn’t look where he’s shooting and ends up hurting someone. 11 A fool who keeps repeating the same foolish mistakes is like a dog that eats his own vomit. 12 Fools have a better chance than people who think they know it all. 13-16 Someone lazy makes an excuse, “I can’t! There’s a lion in the road, a lion out in the streets!” They turn over in bed like a door swinging open and closed. They’re so lazy, they’ll grab a handful of food, but are too tired to lift it to their mouth to eat. Yet they think they know more than the wisest council. 17 Butting into someone else’s argument is as dumb as grabbing a stray dog’s ear. 18-19 Someone who lies to their friends and then claims “It was just a joke!” is like a madman shooting flaming arrows wildly into a crowd. 20-28 The fire goes out when you run out of wood and the drama ends when people stop whispering. Charcoal makes hot embers and wood fuels a fire. Well, a person who loves to fight stirs up trouble. Gossip is like a sinful snack; it taste so good, but people are what they eat. The charm of an evil person is like the decorative glaze on a clay pot. An enemy may be polite and speak graciously to you even though they are full of hate inside. So don’t be fooled by his kind words. His heart toward you is completely wrong. He can hide his inner hatred for a time, but his evil intentions will be exposed in a public gathering. If you make a pitfall for others, you’ll eventually fall in it yourself. If you push a boulder down a hill towards someone, it will roll over you instead. Lying is hateful and flattery ruins people.
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

Day 25 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 25  Wise people learn who to trust. Not everyone who claims to be your friend is really your friend. Kind words are sweet to hear and most will offer to help, but you find out who you can count on through experience. Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 25:4, 14, 18, & 19 4 You have to remove the impurities from silver before it’s ready for the silversmith to make something useful. 14 Bragging about something you never did is like a rain cloud and winds that never refresh with rain. 18 Telling lies about people is like assaulting them with a deadly weapon. 19 Relying on an untrustworthy person when you need them is like chewing with a broken tooth or running on a sprained ankle. Test people with small challenges to see what they're made of. Are they all talk and no action? Are they honest? Can they keep a confidence? If you can't trust someone with something small, you can't trust them with something big. However, if you've found someone who is faithful with small matters, they are more likely to handle something more important. Someone who walks through fiery trials with you is a true friend. Hold on to that friendship. It's worth more than silver or gold. Prayer "Jesus, teach me who to trust. Help me be wise enough to look beyond the kind words and promises and discover who I can really count on. Help me to invest in those relationships. And help me every day to remember You are the one friend who will always be there. And may I be a true friend to You. Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 25
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 25 Similitudes, Instructions 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; 5 Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. 8 Do not go out hastily to [a]argue your case; [b]Otherwise, what will you do in [c]the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? 9 [d]Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, 10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away. 11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in [f]right circumstances. 12 Like [g]an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the [h]time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts [i]of his gifts falsely. 15 By [j]forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16 Have you found honey? Eat only [k]what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. 17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, Or he will become [l]weary of you and hate you. 18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a bad tooth and [m]an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [n]soda, Is he who sings songs to [o]a troubled heart. 21 If [p]your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For you will [q]heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. 23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a [r]backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. 24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than [s]in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a trampled spring and a [t]polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out [u]one’s own glory. 28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Footnotes: Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest Proverbs 25:8 Lit its Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend Proverbs 25:10 Lit return Proverbs 25:11 Lit its Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring Proverbs 25:13 Lit day Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger Proverbs 25:16 Lit your sufficiency Proverbs 25:17 Lit surfeited with Proverbs 25:19 Lit a slipping foot Proverbs 25:20 I.e. natron Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil Proverbs 25:21 Lit one who hates you Proverbs 25:22 Lit snatch up Proverbs 25:23 Lit tongue of secrecy Proverbs 25:24 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association Proverbs 25:26 Lit ruined Proverbs 25:27 Lit their	Proverbs 25 More of Solomon’s Wise Sayings 1 Here are some more of Solomon’s proverbs that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied. 2 The mysteries of the universe glorify God, but it glorifies kings to discover them. 3 If you can figure out how high are the heavens or how deep is the earth, you might understand what a king is really thinking. 4-5 You have to remove the impurities from silver before it’s ready for the silversmith to make something useful.  Remove the ungodly who influence the king and his rule will be firmly founded on righteousness. 6-7 Don’t presume you’re so important you need face time with a leader or should be honored in the halls of fame.  It’s much better to be honored with an invitation than brushed aside in front of someone more noble. 8-10 Don’t be in such a hurry to sue someone in court.  What are you gonna do if it turns out your neighbor puts you to shame?  Work it out with your neighbor in private and keep it between the two of you; otherwise, all your embarrassing faults will be dragged out for everyone to see and it will permanently damage your reputation. 11 Good advice when you need it is like a silver basket full of golden apples. 12 Wise correction to someone who listens is like gold jewelry. 13 A reliable messenger is like an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day; they refresh the spirit of their master. 14 Bragging about something you never did is like a rain cloud and winds that never refresh with rain. 15 It takes patience to persuade a person who’s in charge, but gentle persuasion can break bones. 16 If you find wild honey, don‘t eat too much; otherwise, it’ll make you sick and you’ll throw it up! 17 Don’t spend all your time at your neighbor’s house or else they’ll get sick of you. 18 Telling lies about people is like assaulting them with a deadly weapon. 19 Relying on an untrustworthy person when you need them is like chewing with a broken tooth or running on a sprained ankle. 20 Singing cheerful songs to a heavy heart is like pouring vinegar on a wound or stealing their coat on a really cold day. 21-22 If your enemies are hungry or thirsty, give them something to eat or drink. This is worse than pouring hot coals on their heads and Jehovah will reward you. 23 A north wind brings rain and whispers of gossip causes a lot of anger. 24 It’s better to live on the corner of a rooftop than in a nice house with a wife who always wants to argue. 25 Good news from a far off country is as satisfying as cold water on a thirsty day. 26 Godly people who who don’t speak up about the wrongs in their community are like a muddy spring or a polluted water system. 27 Eat too much candy and you’ll be sick.  Brag about your own honor and you’ll lose it. 28 A person with no self control is like a castle with broken down walls.
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

Day 24 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 24  It's foolish to cheat, steal, or take advantage of others. You may get a short term gain, but it's not right and you will find yourself fighting against God. Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 24:15-18 15-18 Listen you scoundrel: Don’t take advantage of a godly person or break into their home; because even if they fall seven times, they will still get back up again. But scoundrels like you are tripped up by their own evil. So don’t celebrate or be happy when your enemy stumbles or falls, because Jehovah will be angry with your cruelty and their troubles will be over. God watches over godly people who try to do the right thing. They may stumble from time to time or someone may catch them off guard with an evil scheme; but, no matter how many times they fall, they will get back up again because of their faith in God.  And God will punish those who knock them down and kick them on the ground. Prayer "Lord, forgive me for the times I've wronged others or taken advantage of them.  No matter how many times I stumble or fall, help me to trust You and get back up again.  Help me to trust You with justice and mercy.  Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 24
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 24 Precepts and Warnings 1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their [a]minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is [b]strong, And a man of knowledge [c]increases power. 6 For by wise guidance you will [d]wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. 8 One who plans to do evil, Men will call a [e]schemer. 9 The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 10 If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. 11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. 12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not [f]render to man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; 14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a [g]future, And your hope will not be cut off. 15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; 16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Or the Lord will see it and [h]be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. 19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20 For there will be no [i]future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, [j]fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? 23 These also are sayings of the wise. To [k]show partiality in judgment is not good. 24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; 25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He kisses the lips Who gives [l]a right answer. 27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will [m]render to the man according to his work.” 30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking [n]sense, 31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with [o]nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw, I [p]reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. 33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” 34 Then your poverty will come as [q]a robber And your want like [r]an armed man. Footnotes: Proverbs 24:2 Lit hearts Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength Proverbs 24:5 Lit strengthens power Proverbs 24:6 Lit make battle for yourself Proverbs 24:8 Or deviser of evil Proverbs 24:12 Lit bring back Proverbs 24:14 Lit latter end Proverbs 24:18 Lit it is evil in His eyes Proverbs 24:20 Lit latter end Proverbs 24:21 Or reverence Proverbs 24:23 Lit regard the face Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest Proverbs 24:29 Lit bring back Proverbs 24:30 Lit heart Proverbs 24:31 I.e. a kind of weed Proverbs 24:32 Lit set my heart Proverbs 24:34 Or a vagabond; lit one who walks Proverbs 24:34 Lit a man with a shield	Proverbs 24 Number 20 - 1-2 Don’t be jealous of evil people or long to join them, because all they want is to destroy and everything they say causes trouble.   Number 21 - 3-4 Wisdom turns a house into a home, understanding keeps it that way, and knowledge fills the rooms with treasures to enjoy. Number 22 - 5-6 Wisdom makes a warrior strong and those who learn have real power.  You need good advice when you go to war so seek the help of many aides. Number 23 - 7 Wisdom goes right over a fool’s head.  They have nothing important to say when leaders gather for council. Number 24 - 8-9 Someone who plans evil is called a troublemaker.  A foolish scheme is sin; and mockery is disgusting.  Number 25 - 10-12 You’re not strong enough if you fall apart when the going gets tough.  If you refuse to rescue someone innocent who’s condemned to die, if you just watch them go off to die and don’t do anything, don’t try to say, “Look, I didn’t know!”  God knows your heart and you can’t hide anything from Him.  Do you think the guardian of your soul won’t know?  He pays people back for how they act. Number 26 - 13-14 Listen sweety, honey is good.  Don’t you like the sweet taste that drizzles from the honeycomb?  You see, wisdom is the same for your soul.  If you find wisdom, you’ll discover a bright future and you’ll never run out of hope. Number 27 & 28 - 15-16 & 17-18 Listen you scoundrel: Don’t take advantage of a godly person or break into their home; because even if they fall seven times, they will still get back up again. But scoundrels like you are tripped up by their own evil. So don’t celebrate or be happy when your enemy stumbles or falls, because Jehovah will be angry with your cruelty and their troubles will be over. Number 29 - 19-20 Don’t get all worked up about evil and don’t be jealous of the ungodly.  There will be no evil in the end and the ungodly will be snuffed out. Number 30 - 21-22 Listen sweety, revere Jehovah and the king and don’t ever get mixed up with rebels, because they will be destroyed in an instant and no one knows when. More Words of Wisdom 23-25 Here’s some more words of wisdom: It’s not good to show favoritism when you make a judgement.  People will hate those who pronounce the guilty “innocent”; it will enrage the whole community.  However, everyone is pleased when the guilty are convicted; people who pass honest verdicts will be blessed. 26 A straightforward, honest answer is as sweet as a kiss on the lips. 27 Get your priorities straight: secure your livelihood first and then build your house. 28 Don’t testify against your neighbor unless you have a really good reason; and never mislead by what you say. 29 Don’t ever say, “I’m gonna do them like they did me.  I’ll get them back for what they’ve done.” 30-34 I walked passed a lazy person’s farm, and the vineyard of someone who has no sense.  Briars had taken over everything and the ground was full of weeds. The stone wall was broken down.  So I reflected on this sad sight and learned an important lesson:  A little more sleep, a little extra snoozing, a little more time in the recliner with your hands folded across your chest, and poverty will sneak up on you like a bandit, and hardship will invade your life.
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