Key points:
A.
God is in
charge of/has control over everything
-
vv. 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 33
B.
Some things help us do well by adapting
ourselves to God’s plans
-
vv. 3, 6, 15, 17 & 20, 32
C.
Some things cause us problems by
distracting/separating us from God’s plans.
- vv. 5, 14, 18, 28, 29, 30
1 Plans are made in human hearts, but from the Lord comes the
tongue’s response.
2 All one’s ways are pure in one’s own eyes,
but the measurer
of motives is the Lord.
3 Entrust
your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for a purpose, even the wicked
for the evil day.
5 Every proud heart is an
abomination to the Lord; be assured that none will go unpunished.
6 By steadfast loyalty guilt is expiated,
and by the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
7 When the Lord is pleased with someone’s ways, he makes even
enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better a little
with justice,
than a large
income with injustice.
9 The human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the
steps.
10 An oracle is
upon the king’s lips, no judgment of his mouth is false.
11 Balance and scales belong to the Lord; every weight in
the sack is his concern.
12 Wrongdoing is an
abomination to kings, for by justice the throne endures.
13 The king takes
delight in honest lips, and whoever speaks what is right he loves.
14 The
king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise person can pacify it.
15 A
king’s smile means life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better
to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is preferable to silver.
17 The path of the
upright leads away from misfortune; those who attend to their way guard their lives.
18 Pride goes before disaster, and a
haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It
is better to be humble with the
poor
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever
ponders a matter will be successful;
happy the one who trusts in the Lord!
21 The wise of
heart is esteemed for discernment, and
pleasing speech gains a reputation for learning.
22 Good sense is a
fountain of life to those who have it, but folly is the training of fools.
23 The heart of the
wise makes for eloquent speech, and increases the learning on their lips.
24 Pleasing words
are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and invigorating to the bones.
25 Sometimes a way
seems right, but the end of it leads to death!
26 The appetite of workers
works for them, for their mouths urge them on.
27 Scoundrels are a
furnace of evil, and their lips are like a scorching fire.
28 Perverse speech sows discord, and tale
bearing separates bosom friends.
29 The violent deceive their neighbors, and
lead them into a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks an eye plans
perversity; whoever purses the lips does evil.
31 Gray hair is a
crown of glory; it is gained by a life that is just.
32 The patient are better than
warriors, and those who rule their
temper, better than the conqueror of a city.
33 Into the bag the lot is cast, but from the Lord comes every
decision.
