Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 28
Proverbs 19 | page 854
+ + + Men, Women, & God
It’s a Good Thing
Proverbs 18:22
SOLOMON SPENDS A LOT OF TIME warning us about the many serious problems men can experience when
they hang around with the wrong kind of women. So it seems only fair that he discuss the other part of the
equation as well: the joys and blessings that can come when a man marries the right woman.
In 16 simple words, the wise man spells out the earthly and spiritual benefits of marrying well: “The
man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.”
During certain periods in church history, marriage didn’t get the credit it deserved. Some in the church
stressed self-denial and celibacy over wedded bliss. Those stern believers thought it better to avoid all
pleasure, particularly the pleasures of sexual union. For centuries, some Christians taught that the Genesis
account of the Garden of Eden showed that women were the sole cause of human sin—and should therefore be avoided at all costs.
In recent years, Christians have worked overtime to set the record straight. Marriage not only breaks
down the isolation and loneliness that can make life miserable; it brings a special kind of joy and fulfillment that isn’t available in any other relationship.
Marriage brings a balance to life. As Solomon says, being married to the right wife is a very good thing.
A healthy marriage—with all its ups and downs—is a blessing from the Lord.
23
The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24
There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a
brother.
19
1
Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and a fool.
Enthusiasm without knowledge
is no good;
haste makes mistakes.
3
8
To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will
prosper.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and a liar will be destroyed.
10
It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury
or for a slave to rule over princes!
11
Sensible people control their temper;
they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
12
The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13
A foolish child* is a calamity to a father;
a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as
constant dripping.
14
Fathers can give their sons an inheritance
of houses and wealth,
but only the LORD can give an
understanding wife.
15
Lazy people sleep soundly,
but idleness leaves them hungry.
16
Keep the commandments and keep
your life;
despising them leads to death.
17
If you help the poor, you are lending
to the LORD—
and he will repay you!
2
People ruin their lives by their own
foolishness
and then are angry at the LORD.
4
Wealth makes many “friends”;
poverty drives them all away.
5
A false witness will not go unpunished,
nor will a liar escape.
6
Many seek favors from a ruler;
everyone is the friend of a person who
gives gifts!
7
The relatives of the poor despise them;
how much more will their friends
avoid them!
Though the poor plead with them,
their friends are gone.
19:13 Hebrew son; also in 19:27.