Author: Conqueror in Training

This chapter continues with wise sayings, some of which revolve around ‘wealth’. “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. The ransom of a man’s life is his…

This chapter continues the wise sayings of Solomon, and one of the main themes contrasts righteousness from wickedness. “No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of…

This chapter continues the wise sayings of Solomon, with a theme contrasting the rewards of the righteous and the wicked. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness….

This chapter begins ‘the proverbs of Solomon’, a series of sayings that offer great wisdom and challenges for reflection. “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of…

This chapter reminds us of the “ways of Wisdom” and “ways of Folly”. “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. …reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and…

This chapter continues to show Wisdom’s (personified) perspective, pleading with those around her, testifying to her credentials as parts of God’s character. “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. Before…

This chapter again warns us against the ‘adulteress’. “With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; And now, O sons, listen to me,…

This chapter contains more practical guidelines and warnings against evil / adultery. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise…