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Bible Study:  Proverbs 12, 13     March 7, 2006

 Prov 12:1 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, But He will condemn a man who devises evil. 3 A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man will be praised according to his insight, But one of perverse mind will be despised. 9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread. 10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. 12 The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.  13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. 14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man's hands will return to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 16 A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. 17 He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit. 18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. 26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence. 28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 13

13:1 Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

A wise son accepts his father's discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is violence. 3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat. 5 A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. 6 Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner. 7 There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth. 8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out. 10 Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. 11 Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.  12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is hard. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool displays folly. 17 A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful envoy brings healing. 18 Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. 19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil. 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. 23 Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice. 24 He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.

Next time:
  Chapters 14 & 15.

Discipline is rolled into the concept & realm of knowledge and understanding.  How is this linked?  Does vss. 2 and 3 answer this for us?

Vs4. What do the women in our group feel about this statement?

What is vs. 9 all about?

The seeking of counsel seems to be completely disappearing in this day.  Most feel right in their own eyes and along with that it appears that the world justifies it through current philosophy.

Vs 23, What does this mean to everyone?

No eternal death assuredly.

Even our Father in Heaven disciplines us, but do we listen?

The mouth is a dangerous tool, yet we continue on using it poorly. 

Outward show of wealth and even worse, sophistication is a curse that we must recognize and remove from our lives.

Vs 11.  Why do you suppose this is true?

Jesus is the Tree of Life and deferring that hope is damaging to our soul.
The "Word" is the Bible and God's commandments to us, which lead to life

Vs19 needs some discussion.  I find it strange to word something this way.

Keep wise company.  We should pray this for our young people and us.

Vs24. Not these days.  Discipline is a lost art form, which I believe fulfills scripture for the last days where "children are disobedient to parents."