22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.****
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.****
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.****
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.****
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.****
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
Comment: These twelve proverbs are different from the usual pattern of Proverbs. Only the two which are not in italics but are underlined compare good and bad. The 22nd. compares good sense and fools’ folly; The 33rd. talks about trusting chance compared to God’s sovereignty. This is the usual/normal pattern of the Proverbs.
Of the remainder the five in italics, but marked with **** after them, are wholly about living on the ‘bad’ side of life – ignoring God, plotting and speaking evil, speaking gossip, pervering character, slyly leading an evil life! The other five in italics but in no other way marked are about living on the good side of life – a wise heart speaking wisdom, healing graciousness, the work drive, the glory of living aright, self control. It altogether is a ‘hotchpotch’ of thoughts, all mixed up! But after all, life is like that. We are always having to make decisions and methinks that having remembered that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and having soaked our minds in things like the proverbs we can make wise decisions even under pressure!
Prayer: Please preserve me from thinking that I know it all!
As I read it! 