Day 199: Proverbs 17 - 20

Bible in a year reading for day 199.

Proverbs 17

18 A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.
27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
28 Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 18

1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Differing weights and unequal measures— both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

Open this plan in the app