Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
Comment: Today we deal with ten rapidly fired bullets to take on board into our minds and to decide if we need to put some or all of them into our thinking and living. Do they need to be lived out in practice? The first five ‘bullets’ are centred around agricultural thinking. 1. Looking after your animals, working your paddocks, If you don’t look after your animals (?pets) you are foolish and sadly some people are not only not caring but downright cruel. If you are able to and don’t work you are plain stupid and don’t deserve to eat – as Paul teaches! 2. Then the author speaks about fruit production. Jesus had a lot to say about fruit production – that is good character! Solomon sums it up this way ‘ the root of the righteous bears fruit.‘ We must ask what is the ‘root of the righteous’ and then seek to tap into it – or possibly the Root is a Him! 3. The next two proverbs centre around ‘fools’, comparing stupidity to wisdom. Solomon makes his point well! 4. Solomon has mentioned the mouth, and speaking, before but in the next three ‘bullets’ Solomon says something like ‘think before you speak – once spoken words are in the ether! They can be sword-like maiming and even killing or alternatively healing and helpful.’ 5. Finally the author strikes at the heart, the core of one’s being, and fundamentally asks, ‘What sort of person are you going to choose to be?’
Prayer: Help me in all of these aspects of life to choose aright. Please.
As I read it! 