The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Devotions: Proverbs 10

Solomon said: Wise sons bless their parents, but the parents of foolish sons have great sorrow. The fruits of wickedness are unprofitable, but righteousness delivers one from death. YHWH feeds the righteous, but thwarts the cravings of the wicked. Diligence enriches; laziness brings poverty. Sons who work in season are prudent; those who rest in harvest time bring shame. The righteous are blessed; the wicked conceal violence. When others recall the righteous, they are blessed; but the name of the wicked will rot—it brings a stench when remembered. The wise obey God’s commands; the prating fool faces ruin. Integrity brings security; perversion brings shame and failure. Let us not collude with evil, but rather boldly reprove misconduct and so restore peace. Righteous words bring life; wicked speech conceals violence. Hatred generates strife; love covers all offenses. Wisdom emerges in the words of those who earn understanding; the rod of discipline falls on the back of fools. The wise store up knowledge, but fools babble themselves to ruin. Earned wealth is protection; poverty of spirit is ruinous. Sowing righteousness reaps life; sowing wickedness reaps sin. Heeding instruction guides to life; but one who rejects reproof goes astray. You can’t conceal hatred—that is lying, and slander is folly. Sin abounds when words are many; prudence, when we restrain our lips. Words of the righteous are like silver; thoughts of a fool are worthless. Wise words feed many; fools die for lack of sense. God’s blessings make one rich, and protect against sorrow. Fools take sport in doing wrong, while a man of understanding enjoys wise conduct. The dreads of the wicked come true, just like the prudent desires of the righteous. After the storm, the wicked have disappeared, while the wise abide forever. A lazy worker is like vinegar to the tongue, like smoke in one’s eyes. They live long who fear God, while the years of the wicked are shortened. God rewards the hope of the righteous, and brings to naught the expectations of the wicked. YHWH is a stronghold to the righteous, and the destroyer of evildoers. The righteous will inherit the land; the wicked will be exiled. Righteous tongues engender wisdom; perverse tongues will be severed. Righteousness fits one’s lips for what is holy; wickedness, for perversity.