Proverbs – Day 19
Scripture: Proverbs 19
Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord.
Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.
The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless go hungry.
Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to their death.
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Devotional:
Has someone ever lied about you, claiming you did something you didn’t? It is one of the worst experiences to have someone unfairly tarnish your character.
It may be some comfort, then, when Solomon states in Proverbs 19, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free” and “will perish.” (v. 5, 9) After all, what is a false witness other than a liar? “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Prov. 12:22)
Why would someone bring false witness?
As king, Solomon likely settled cases of neighborly and business misconduct. “Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.” (Prov. 23:10-11) No matter what business you’re conducting, do it with fairness and you’ll find favor with God, “but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (Prov 11:1,3) If false testimony or business dealings has hurt you “like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow” (Prov 25:18), don’t be tempted to seek vengeance (we’ll cover that in chapter 24). To grow in wisdom, value personal integrity above personal gain.
Key Verse:
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.” ~ Proverbs 19:5
Questions:
- How would you respond if someone brought false allegations against you?
- Have you been tempted to lie to get revenge or personal gain?
