Proverbs 13: Walk With the Wise
Friday, July 19, 2024
The Book of Proverbs is a compilation of refrains that come to us over the centuries. We avoid their advice at our own peril; we integrate their lessons for our own good, and for the good of all.
Intelligent children listen to their parents;
foolish children do their own thing.
Whether we see ourselves as wise or foolish, there is always something to learn from our elders; wisdom is, after all, the patience to listen for, and to respond positively to God’s Word.
Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.
A good person hates false talk;
a bad person wallows in gibberish.
We know that words matter. Harsh words create anxiety and deepen rifts while positive words enrich our lives and open us to transformation.
A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
a plain and simple life is a full life.
The lives of good people are brightly lit streets;
the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.
Societies based on profit have difficulty understanding God’s goodness. Cultures with structures that care for the marginalized will give preference to the poor when making decisions. Do we live in dark alleys or on brightly lit streets?
Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord,
but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.
Easy come, easy go,
but steady diligence pays off.
We know that humility is the best foundation for a fruitful life. Openness to Jesus as The Word of God brings us the persistence, fortitude, and hope we will need to serve as disciples of Christ.
Ignore the Word and suffer;
honor God’s commands and grow rich.
Sound thinking makes for gracious living,
but liars walk a rough road.
Honesty in all our ways may be difficult but trustworthiness comes with great efforts. While we may temporarily deceive those from whom we hide, we know that ultimately the truth will always come forward.
Become wise by walking with the wise;
hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.
Scholars believe that the Book of Proverbs is a gathering of sayings brought together after the exile experience of the people of Israel. After huge loss and great difficulty, the faithful discover that both their actions and their words matter deeply. They also know that nothing and no one hides from the Creator. As New Testament people, we have as a model the actions of Jesus as he lives out The Word of God. As Easter people, we have the presence and consolation of the Spirit to buoy us up when we are lost or frightened. For all of these reasons, let us decide to walk with the wise rather than play with the foolish.
Today’s verses are taken from THE MESSAGE translation of the Bible. When we compare other translations of these words, we find that the difference between the wise and foolish is not that difficult to distinguish.
Image from: https://chalkboardquotes.wordpress.com/tag/foolish/
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