Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

Wise Sayings of Solomon

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD,

But a just weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes shame;

But with the humble is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,

But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright,

But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,

And the hope of the unjust perishes.

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,

And it comes to the wicked instead.

9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,

But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,

But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer,

But one who hates being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,

But ruthless men retain riches.

17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,

But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,

But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

19 As righteousness leads to life,

So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.

20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD,

But the blameless in their ways are His delight.

21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;

But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,

So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,

But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.

25 The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,

But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,

But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,

But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,

And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

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.

My Thoughts:

1. So let’s start with (v. 4) we read “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
   1. The rich man appears to have everything; money, fame, and even favor over most men and many times he thinks that all these things will bring him favor with God (Jer. 9:23; Matt. 19:23). But this day of wrath is the divine day of punishment also call the day of the Lord (Isa. 2:10-12; Ezek. 7). But we see that righteousness will keep us safe on this day and we will be with Christ.
2. In (v. 21) we read “Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered”
   1. Throughout history evil men have joined forces to defeat the people of God, and even claimed to have defeated death itself (Isa 8:12; 28:15).
   2. But the people of God will find that through righteousness they are mightier than the great deceiver (2 Chron. 20:1-25; Neh. 4:7-15)
3. And we will finish today with (v.30) “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise”
   1. There are many verses in the Old Testament that support the idea that God was never meant just for the Israelites, they were to spread the message that God was the God of all people (Isa. 56:7). Even the promise land was given to them because of its location and everyone that passed for north to south or south to north would pass through their lands.
   2. I find that the statement that the man that wins souls is wise is so true. Christ has given us a great commission to go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 19-20). So for me I see that the man that wins souls is doing what Christ has told us to do and that makes him wise.

 

Thought of the Day

“When you flee temptation, be sure you don’t leave a forwarding address.”

About 25 feet up in the maple tree behind my house hung a gray, cone-shaped object about 10 inches long. I decided to get closer to find out what it was.

Armed with a long fishing pole and standing on top of a barrel, I steered the end of the pole into the opening at the bottom of the object. And then it happened! Like a streak of lightning, down they came, first one, then another! I sprawled on the ground. Soon both eyes were swollen shut and I had large bumps on my forehead. I had been attacked by white-faced hornets. That was the last time I bothered them!

So it is with sin. The way to keep from being stung is to stay far from it.

As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, the Lord said He would send “hornets” to drive out their enemies (Exodus 23:28). But God also warned Israel not to turn from Him (v.33). As the people soon found out, disobedience would bring down the Lord’s stinging judgment on them instead of on their enemies (32:7-10).

So don’t try to see how close you can get to sin without getting into trouble—rather, see how far you can stay away. Listen to the warnings of God’s Word, and don’t forget the pain of past mistakes. Learn from them. If you do, you’ll avoid being stung again! —M. R. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Today avoid sin’s tempting lures

And evil thoughts subdue,

Or worldly things may take control

And someday master you! —Bosch

Personal Reflection and Discussion

1. What do you think (v. 24) is saying?
2. What other things do you see in the text?

Prayer Activities

1. Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
2. Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
3. Pray with them and ask for the following;
   1. For God to help us cherish knowledge and wisdom.
   2. For God to help us complete the great commission that He has called us to.
   3. For the individuals on your pray list.
4. Let’s use (Matt. 11:28) for today’s prayer verse.