Wise Up: Proverbs 26
Proverbs 26 (NIV)
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Sunridge: we began our Wise Up challenge on June 26th, so today begins our second time through this amazing book of wisdom – Proverbs. I know many are simply reading – that’s awesome, but I wanted you to know how much I’m enjoying your comments. (I read them everyday) I’m challenged, convicted, encouraged, inspired! Thank you for taking the time to share your heartfelt thoughts. I suspect this second time through Proverbs will be even “gooder!” (You had to be in second service last Sunday to understand.) May God continue to give you wisdom!
Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Proverbs 26:7
This proverb reminds me that I need to be on guard. Not so much from a fool bringing words thought to be wise; but that I don’t live the part of a fool. That I don’t simply mouth the wise words of God but refuse to put them into practice. Useless legs cannot propel me forward physically. Spiritually, wise words are useless if I am unwilling to heed them. Working our way through proverbs, we have been asked to read, reflect, respond, and share. Reading God’s Word and acknowledging the truth and wisdom it contains is a great first step. But neglecting self-reflection and a humble response is foolishness. Wise living demands that my behavior and my attitude are aligned to the truth I proclaim.
Lord help make me more than a simple man knowing wise words. Work in my spirit to become a man of wise living. May I have discernment to recognize your truth, humility to see my need for it, and wisdom to follow its way.
Thanks for your blogging contribution on Proverbs. Your insight is helpful.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
Proverbs reminds us once again to guard our words carefully. We need to to think and know all the facts before we say anything. An “undeserved curse” can do harm to people. We should only love people by building them up with our words. It is not our place to judge (curse) people, God will take care of that in a time of his choosing.
I pray that God and his Spirit will guide me daily in what I say and help me to love people the way he loves me.
Vs. 17
Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Vs. 20
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Lord, remind me to mind my own business. Help me to honor you with my conversations.
Amen
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
I have found this Proverb very useful when dealing with people that are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, rage, or extreme fear.
However when it comes to racism and other matters based in ignorance, at times I find this one useful:
Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.