Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 41
page 867 | Proverbs 30
If a ruler pays attention to liars,
all his advisers will be wicked.
25
Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the LORD means safety.
13
The poor and the oppressor have this in
common—
the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
26
Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but justice comes from the LORD.
27
14
If a king judges the poor fairly,
his throne will last forever.
The righteous despise the unjust;
the wicked despise the godly.
15
To discipline a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an
undisciplined child.
16
When the wicked are in authority, sin
flourishes,
but the godly will live to see their
downfall.
17
Discipline your children, and they will
give you peace of mind
and will make your heart glad.
12
18
When people do not accept divine
guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
19
Words alone will not discipline a servant;
the words may be understood, but
they are not heeded.
20
There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks without
thinking.
21
A servant pampered from childhood
will become a rebel.
22
An angry person starts fights;
a hot-tempered person commits all
kinds of sin.
23
Pride ends in humiliation,
while humility brings honor.
24
If you assist a thief, you only hurt
yourself.
You are sworn to tell the truth, but
you dare not testify.
30:1a Or son of Jakeh from Massa; or son of Jakeh, an oracle.
declares this to Ithiel, / to Ithiel and to Ucal.
30
The Sayings of Agur
The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh
contain this message.*
I am weary, O God;
I am weary and worn out, O God.*
2 I am too stupid to be human,
and I lack common sense.
3 I have not mastered human wisdom,
nor do I know the Holy One.
4
Who but God goes up to heaven and
comes back down?
Who holds the wind in his fists?
Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?
Who has created the whole wide world?
What is his name—and his son’s name?
Tell me if you know!
5
Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him
for protection.
Do not add to his words,
or he may rebuke you and expose you
as a liar.
6
7
8
9
O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor
riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my
needs.
For if I grow rich, I may deny you and
say, “Who is the LORD?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and
thus insult God’s holy name.
30:1b The Hebrew can also be translated The man
29:15, 17 Children cannot grow up to be responsible adults if they are never disciplined, corrected, and
held accountable for their actions. Children who are not held accountable fail to learn from the negative
consequences of sin, so they continue to develop sinful patterns of behavior. Discipline is an essential
part of a child’s spiritual development.
29:23 Pride always sets us up for a fall. Pride tells us, “I’m strong; I don’t need anyone’s help.” It blinds
us to our weaknesses and leads us away from seeking the people and help we need. Humility says, “I do
need improvement; could you help me?” Those of us who maintain a humble perspective, realizing that we
are weak and vulnerable, will look for the help and support we need for successful spiritual growth.
30:5 The words of God, including these principles in Proverbs, are true and offer protection to those who
live by them. Living by God’s truth demands that we honestly admit our need for God’s wisdom and that
we seek to live by it. This will not be easy, and it probably won’t be popular. But walking in God’s light will
place us under God’s direction and care.
