Proverbs 14:16-35

16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. 21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

I love proverbs, every time I read it I learn something new from it. Does it work that way for you too? Many places in chapter 14 talks of foolishness and the fact that we should depart from it and grow in wisdom. The bible teaches this in many places, and as I have said before if you can find it all over the place repeatedly, then it must be very important to pay attention to. Go back through this chapter and write down all the things that are said to be foolishness, and all the things that are said to be righteous and wise, and take a close look and then apply those things to your own life. I am sure that it will have a good effect on you, I know it does on me. Gods word is so amazing, I hope and pray that the people who read His word know that, even though it was written by men, they had nothing to do with what it says. It is the perfect book, and very good instruction for life.