22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion. – the ring is wasted in the case of the pig, the beauty is wasted in the case of the woman!!
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath. – we all desire good outcomes, but no one can expect them if they choose wrongly!
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. – what do you think of the businessman who stops selling grain in a famine because, as times goes by, he can ask a higher price? Or what do you think of a person who turns their back on the widow’s and orphan’s cry for help?
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered. – this is sometimes true immediately, but certainly always in the long haul!
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. – as said before under 24!
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to him who searches for it. -ie Look in the right place!
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. – almost a commentary on Ps 1 – worth reading!
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. – Be wise, please be wise!
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise. – line one’s meaning is pretty obvious but what does the second line mean? I think it means train people aright and lead them if necessary to change their thinking and actions. Preach the good news of God (as seen in the gospel message, both in the Old and New Testaments) and ‘convert’ them to God’s way – maybe it is their choice, but they can’t choose without hearing the options!
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner! – Pause to ponder!
Prayer: Deciding once is important, but please help me to answer ‘yes’ to Your Way always!
As I read it! 