20. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,
but a foolish man devours it.
21. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honour.
22. A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25. The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26. All day long he craves and craves,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28. A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29. A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the LORD.
31. The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Comment: Let’s try it (that is let our imaginations run riot) with a few and you can continue with the ‘game’ on others, if you so decide.
- 20 – picture two family houses very similar in structure and size. They both were built by the great-grandparents of the present residents. The one on the left looks very attractive with mown grass and beautiful trees; if you go inside it is painted nicely, with a few pieces of good art and the kitchen is well supplied. The house on the right needs a handy man both on the building and for upkeep of a once nice but now straggling mess. Go inside and it obviously was once nice but now…. and the whisper in the community is that it has been ‘hocked’ to get the owners out of debt for their foolish choices in business and bad habits. They have devoured their inheritance!
- 23. You wonder where are the two other monkeys, those covering their eyes and their ears. But at least this ‘monkey’ won’t get into trouble by what he says! His mouth is guarded!
- 27. These days we don’t see a line up of people waiting to have their lambs slaughtered on the altar seeking forgiveness of their past wrong doings. In those days more than a few of them were hypocritical – acting according to custom, they weren’t really sorry and they had no plans to change. Today we have plenty of hypocrisies of our own. And as the smoke ascending from their burnt offerings was a stench in God’s nostrils so are our attempts in hypocritical worship.
Prayer: Please teach me to profitably meditate on your word!
As I read it! 