Day 28 of Day Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 28  It's just not good when everyone makes up their own rules.  A family, an organization, a nation needs good leaders.  People rise and fall with the leaders they admire and follow.  Leaders come in all shapes and sizes: a parent, a boss, a pastor, an elected official.  Others are cultural leaders--athletes, artists, characters, public figures.  Sometimes you are a leader.   Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 28:2, 4, 5, & 16 2 The country is in chaos when it's full of rebellious people who do whatever they want; but someone with insight, who understands the way things work, can keep the nation alive. 4 People who ignore God’s Law revere wicked people, but those who obey God’s Law stand against them. 5 Evil people don’t even understand justice, but people who follow the Lord know right from wrong. 16 An unskillful leader without understanding is an oppressive tyrant; but someone who hates greed and corruption will live a long time. We become the people we admire and follow.  Therefore, it is essential we lead and follow wisely.  Know God and His Word so you can truly discern bad leadership from good. Prayer "Jesus, You are the perfect example of a good leader.  Lord, help me to walk with you closely everyday that I might prosper and know how to lead others Your way.  And give us more leaders like You.  Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 28
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 28 Warnings and Instructions 1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion. 2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. 3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain [b]which leaves no food. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all things. 6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is [c]crooked though he be rich. 7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. 8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. 9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. 11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding [d]sees through him. 12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men [e]hide themselves. 13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. 14 How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 17 A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will [f]be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. 18 He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is [g]crooked will fall all at once. 19 He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To [h]show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. 23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. 24 He who robs his father or his mother And says, “It is not a transgression,” Is the companion of a man who destroys. 25 An [i]arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will [j]prosper. 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. 27 He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who [k]shuts his eyes will have many curses. 28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase. Footnotes: Proverbs 28:1 Lit confident Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread Proverbs 28:6 Lit perverse of two ways Proverbs 28:11 Lit examines him Proverbs 28:12 Lit will be searched for Proverbs 28:17 Lit flee to the pit Proverbs 28:18 Lit perverse of two ways Proverbs 28:21 Lit regard the face Proverbs 28:25 Lit broad soul Proverbs 28:25 Lit be made fat Proverbs 28:27 Lit hides	Proverbs 28 1 People who aren’t living right are paranoid about everything even when no one is after them; but those with a clean conscious walk with the courage of a lion. 2 The country is in chaos when it’s full of rebellious people who do whatever they want; but someone with insight, who understands the way things  work, can keep the nation alive. 3 A poor man who oppresses others in need is like a sudden downpour that ruins a picnic. 4 People who ignore God’s Law revere wicked people, but those who obey God’s Law stand against them. 5 Evil people don’t even understand justice, but people who follow the Lord know right from wrong. 6 It’s better to be poor and have integrity than rich and corrupt. 7 Smart youth are careful to obey God’s Law, but those who hang around the party crowd embarrass their parents. 8 If you make your money by charging unjust fees and outrageous interest rates, it will end up in the hands of someone else who is kind to the poor. 9 A person’s prayers are disgusting if they ignore God’s Law. 10 Those who lead the righteous into evil will fall into their own trap. 11 A rich person brags how smart they are, but a poor person with some sense sees right through them. 12 It’s a beautiful thing when godly people win, but everyone runs to hide when the ungodly rise up. 13 You can’t really thrive if you cover up your misdeeds, but whoever confesses their sins and turns away from them will receive mercy. 14 A person who is always filled with reverence and awe is truly blessed, but stubborn, cruel people will get into terrible trouble. 15 An ungodly leader is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or a hungry bear. 16 An unskillful leader without understanding is an oppressive tyrant; but someone who hates greed and corruption will live a long time. 17 A murderer’s guilty conscious will haunt them all the way to the grave; you don’t have to help. 18 Someone who’s done nothing wrong will be set free, but a crooked person will get into big trouble. 19 People who work hard at the right thing will have everything they need, but those who goof off all the time will have nothing. 20 A person you can count on will be blessed all the time, but someone who’s always chasing get rich schemes will get into trouble. 21 It’s never good to show favoritism, but people often do to get something they want. 22 A greedy person is in such a hurry to get rich they don’t realize they will never have enough. 23 In the long run, people will appreciate hearing the cold, hard truth more than mere flattery. 24 Someone who steals from their parents and says, “What’s wrong with it?” is not much better than a terrorist. 25 People who always want “more,more, more” cause all kinds of trouble, but those who trust in Jehovah have more than enough. 26 Fools just “follow their heart.”  If you want to avoid trouble, you have to use your head. 27 If you give to the needy, you will always have enough; but those who ignore them will always be cursed. 28 People can’t be themselves when the ungodly rise to power.  More will do what’s right when they fall.
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 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