June 9 - Morning
"Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come."
- Psalms 71:17-18
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come."
- Psalms 71:17-18
David's Testimony in Life and Beyond
Psalm 71 - In verses 71:5-6 David proclaims that the Lord has been his hope and confidence since his youth:
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you.”
David continues in 71:17 declaring that he has spent his life being taught by God and, likewise, has himself taught others about God’s marvelous deeds throughout his life.
“Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.”
David’s training would have included hearing the Law of God taught, learning the ways of God in life and seeing the Lord’s mighty deeds in both the written documents from the past and in David’s own personal adventures. During David’s life he shared these insights with others and proclaimed both the ancient accounts of the Lord’s deliverance of historical men like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua and others, but also, David shared his own personal accounts of deliverance.
Now, in Psalm 71:18, David, an old man who’s adventures had come to an end, asks to be given the opportunity to continue to teach the younger generation both the scriptural testimony and David’s personal testimony. David also asks to be enabled to provide a written account of these truths to “all who are to come.” It seems David desired his story and his testimony to be part of the scriptural account handed to every generation as God’s inspired Word.
Yr (Hb) – to fear (Eng) – Yr is a root that means “to fear” and “to be afraid.”
◦ Genesis 18:15 – yr communicates anxiety when facing the unknown
◦ Job 32:6 – yr expresses the honor older people receive from youth
◦ Leviticus 19:3 – yr is maintaining reverent humility towards parents
◦ Genesis 18:15 – yr communicates anxiety when facing the unknown
◦ Job 32:6 – yr expresses the honor older people receive from youth
◦ Leviticus 19:3 – yr is maintaining reverent humility towards parents
I will share my insights concerning the Lord and his word with others.
I will ask the Lord to provide an appropriate time and give me the wisdom to speak his Truth.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Guidance and
direction in the roles you have in life
Church
Revelation of the mysteries of God
Nation
Police
World
Guinea
Someone to Quote
"God has already given you all the gifts and talents necessary to accomplish His purpose for your life. You don't have to try to be anything other than whom He created you to be."
- Dr. John S. Barnett
- Dr. John S. Barnett
Something to Ponder
The Landscape Survey shows that the religiously unaffiliated population has grown despite having one of the lowest retention rates of all "religious" groups.
The biggest gain in the religious competition is the unaffiliated group. People moving into the unaffiliated category outnumber those moving out of the unaffiliated group by more than a three-to-one margin. At the same time, however, a substantial number of people (nearly 4% of the overall adult population) say that as children they were unaffiliated with any particular religion but have since come to identify with a religious group. This means that more than half of people who were unaffiliated with any particular religion as a child now say that they are associated with a religious group. (The Pew Forum, source)
The biggest gain in the religious competition is the unaffiliated group. People moving into the unaffiliated category outnumber those moving out of the unaffiliated group by more than a three-to-one margin. At the same time, however, a substantial number of people (nearly 4% of the overall adult population) say that as children they were unaffiliated with any particular religion but have since come to identify with a religious group. This means that more than half of people who were unaffiliated with any particular religion as a child now say that they are associated with a religious group. (The Pew Forum, source)
Here’s a Fact
According to Judges 1:27 the tribe of Manasseh did not drive the Canaanites out of the city of Taanach which was an important city on the south edge of the Megiddo Valley. But, after the days of King David the city of Taanach had been taken and it was being used by Solomon as one of the cities responsible for collecting and providing supplies to the royal budget in 1 Kings 4:12. Excavation shows that Taanach was an inhabited and important city in the days of Abraham. Excavation from the time of Solomon reveal rows of aligned stone posts with holes used for tying horse reigns similar to what is seen at Megiddo. It is assumed that Taanach was used as one of Solomon’s chariot cities in the Megiddo Valley.
Proverb
"The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those
who pass by, who go straight on their way.
'Let all who are simple come in here!'
she says to those who lack judgment."
- Proverbs 9:13-16
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those
who pass by, who go straight on their way.
'Let all who are simple come in here!'
she says to those who lack judgment."
- Proverbs 9:13-16
Coach’s Corner
Many times the leader is alone and unknown while they prepare the map that others will follow. Do not confuse leadership with the fame. The words “leader” and “celebrity” are not synonyms.
"God has already given you all the gifts and talents necessary to accomplish His purpose for your life. You don't have to try to be anything other than whom He created you to be."
- Dr. John S. Barnett
- Dr. John S. Barnett
The Landscape Survey shows that the religiously unaffiliated population has grown despite having one of the lowest retention rates of all "religious" groups.
The biggest gain in the religious competition is the unaffiliated group. People moving into the unaffiliated category outnumber those moving out of the unaffiliated group by more than a three-to-one margin. At the same time, however, a substantial number of people (nearly 4% of the overall adult population) say that as children they were unaffiliated with any particular religion but have since come to identify with a religious group. This means that more than half of people who were unaffiliated with any particular religion as a child now say that they are associated with a religious group. (The Pew Forum, source)
The biggest gain in the religious competition is the unaffiliated group. People moving into the unaffiliated category outnumber those moving out of the unaffiliated group by more than a three-to-one margin. At the same time, however, a substantial number of people (nearly 4% of the overall adult population) say that as children they were unaffiliated with any particular religion but have since come to identify with a religious group. This means that more than half of people who were unaffiliated with any particular religion as a child now say that they are associated with a religious group. (The Pew Forum, source)
Benjamin Mazar's excavations in Jerusalem began in 1968 after Israel regained control. Many historical and biblical truths were confirmed and brought to light. Details
"The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those
who pass by, who go straight on their way.
'Let all who are simple come in here!'
she says to those who lack judgment."
- Proverbs 9:13-16
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those
who pass by, who go straight on their way.
'Let all who are simple come in here!'
she says to those who lack judgment."
- Proverbs 9:13-16
Many times the leader is alone and unknown while they prepare the map that others will follow. Do not confuse leadership with the fame. The words “leader” and “celebrity” are not synonyms.
1 Samuel 18
New International Version (NIV)
Saul’s Growing Fear of David
18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”
18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”
22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’”
23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”
24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.
30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
New International Version (NIV)
Saul’s Growing Fear of David
18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”
18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”
22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’”
23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”
24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.
30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
Isaiah 17
New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Damascus
17 A prophecy against Damascus:
“See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.
2
The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.
3
The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the Lord Almighty.
4
“In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away.
5
It will be as when reapers harvest the standing grain, gathering the grain in their arms— as when someone gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.
6
Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is beaten, leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches, four or five on the fruitful boughs,” declares the Lord, the God of Israel.
7
In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8
They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
9 In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation.
10
You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines,
11
though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.
12
Woe to the many nations that rage— they rage like the raging sea! Woe to the peoples who roar— they roar like the roaring of great waters!
13
Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale.
14
In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us.
New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Damascus
17 A prophecy against Damascus:
“See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.
2
The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.
3
The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the Lord Almighty.
4
“In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away.
5
It will be as when reapers harvest the standing grain, gathering the grain in their arms— as when someone gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.
6
Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is beaten, leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches, four or five on the fruitful boughs,” declares the Lord, the God of Israel.
7
In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8
They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
9 In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation.
10
You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines,
11
though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.
12
Woe to the many nations that rage— they rage like the raging sea! Woe to the peoples who roar— they roar like the roaring of great waters!
13
Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale.
14
In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us.
Proverbs 19-20
New International Version (NIV)
19
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2
Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4
Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6
Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7
The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
12
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13
A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
16
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
18
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
19
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
22
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
23
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25
Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26
Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29
Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
20
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2
A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
6
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
7
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
8
When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
10
Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both.
11
Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both.
13
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18
Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20
If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21
An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
23
The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
24
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
25
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
26
A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
29
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
30
Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.
New International Version (NIV)
19
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2
Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4
Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6
Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7
The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
12
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13
A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
16
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
18
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
19
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
22
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
23
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25
Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26
Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29
Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
20
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2
A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
6
Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
7
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
8
When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
10
Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both.
11
Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both.
13
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18
Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20
If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21
An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
23
The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
24
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
25
It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.
26
A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28
Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
29
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
30
Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.