Proverbs 3: 21-35 (ESV)
My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Do not plan evil against your neighbour,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,
but the upright are in his confidence.
The LORD’S curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favour.
The wise will inherit honour,
but fools get disgrace.
Comment: A comment on each divided portion above.
No one can see your soul – your neck is easily seen. Wisdom affects both the seen and the unseen me.
Over-confidence can be equated with pride in that it may well lead to a fall, but being able to walk with soundly based confidence frees you up to live positively.
Jesus gave the first and second commandments – our relationship to God (1) and to man (2). Here we have good advice for living peacefully and happily with our neighbours.
God has his hates and his loves. This is a warning that choices have consequences. With our initial choice we also chose the consequence.
Prayer: Help me to see, please, that an initial choice needs to be often repeated.
As I read it! 