Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27

New King James Version (NKJV)

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;

But by a man of understanding and knowledge

Right will be prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor

Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the LORD understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,

But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion

Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,

He himself will 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 searches him out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;

But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear

Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,

But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;

Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,

But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,

But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good,

Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,

And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,

And says, “It is no transgression,”

The same is companion to a destroyer.

25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.

26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,

But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.

1. So let’s start with (v. 1) we read “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion”
   1. Compare to (Ps.53:5) “There they are in great fear where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; you have put them to shame, because God has despised them.
   2. The righteous stands bold because he has nothing to fear, stand with God and He will stand with you.
2. In (v. 5) we read “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all”
   1. When we seek God in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, He will give you what you seek 10 fold (Deut. 4:5-6; 1 Cor. 2:14-15; 1 John 2:20, 27). And evil men have no understanding of anything other than the things of a fool.
3. Let’s finish with (v. 9) we read “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”
   1. So many times I have heard that the 10 commandments where nailed to the cross or something in that idea. But the truth is they are still as applicable as the day God wrote them. We are not saved but our works but when we have the relationship with Christ that He requires, we will have them written in our hearts.

THE book of Proverbs is also a book of promises. Promises ought to be proverbs among the people of God. This is a very remarkable one. We are accustomed to think of our good things as in reversion, but here we are told that we shall have them in possession.

 Not all the malice and cunning of our enemies can work our destruction: they shall fall into the pit which they have dug. Our inheritance is so entailed upon us that we shall not be kept out of it, nor so turned out of the way as to miss it.

 But what have we now? We have a quiet con-science through the precious blood of Jesus. We have the love of God set upon us beyond all change. We have power with God in prayer in all time of need. We have the providence of God to watch over us, the angels of God to minister to us, and, above all, the Spirit of God to dwell in us. In fact, all things are ours. “Whether things present or things to come: all are yours.” Jesus is ours. Yea, the divine trinity in unity is ours. Hallelujah. Let us not pine and whine, and stint and slave, since we have good things in possession. Let us live on our God and rejoice in Him all the day. Help us, O Holy Ghost!

1. What do you think (v. 17) 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 write His commandments in our hearts.
   2. For God help us to always be in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
   3. For the individuals on your pray list.
4. Let’s use (Hebrews 2:1-4) for today’s prayer verse.