1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Comment: 1. The fool takes a few hits again in this series of proverbs. I suppose if you chose to stand against God, and that is the thought of what a fool is in Proverbs, you are a bit on the wrong side of winning! 2. The third line gives a spiraling down stairway if you start on the wrong side of God. Wickedness leads to receiving contempt which spirals down to dishonor and disgrace! Obviously sometimes there is a bit of an upward step in the eyes of people before the crash begins! 3. What does ‘deep waters’ in number 4 refer to? Bubbling brooks are fairly easy to understand as they are so refreshing and such a delight, but ‘deep waters’? I suspect that it symbolises the unknown and frightening unknown things. You could argue that in deep waters there are wondrous things to be found. I wish that the writer had told us exactly what he meant! 4. Number 8 starts ‘The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels‘. Has the whisperer an ulterior motive in saying what he whispers? Or perhaps he is sharing something which needs to be known but which he can share publicly? One way would lead, as digested, to a beautiful satisfying meal, the other to diarrhea! 5. Number 11 – Wealth is ultimately protective only in the long run in your imagination.
Prayer: Deep thinking is needed, Father, and wisdom from You!
As I read it! 