Wisdom is better than gold, Understanding to be chosen than silver

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs Chapter 22: 1 - 16

A good name is more desirable than great riches,
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Rich and poor have this is common:
The Lord is the Maker of them both.

The prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Humility and fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will soon be destroyed.

A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife,
quarrels and insults are ended.

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king for his friend.

The eyes of the LORD keep watch
over knowledge,
but he frustrated the words of the unfaithful.

The sluggeard says, There is a lion outside!
or, I will be murdered in the streets!

The mouth of the adultress is a deep pit,
he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth,
and he would gives gifts to the rich - both come to poverty.

Proverbs 22: 1 - 16

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

"The Sayings Of The Wise"

Proverbs 22: 16 - 29

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise,
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart,
and have all of them ready on your lips.

So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.

Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
saying of counsel and knowledge,
teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers
to him who sent you?

Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
for the LORD will take up their cause and will plunder those who plunder them.

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge,
or puts in security for debts.

if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched
from under you.

Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.

Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings,
he will not serve before obscure men.

Proverbs 22: 17- 29

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 23: 1: 9

When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich,
have the wisdom to show restraint.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings,
and fly off in the sky like an eagle.

Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies,
for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost.

Eat and drink, he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Do not speak to a fool,
for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 23: 10 - 21

Do not move an ancient boundary stone,
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
for their Defender is strong,
he will take up their case against you.

Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.

Do not withhold discipline from a child,
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad,
my inmost being will rejoice,
when your lips speak what is right.

Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
There is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.


Listen, my son and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.
Do not join those who drink too much wine,
nor gorge themselves on meat,
for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 23: 22- 35

Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Buy the truth and do not sell it,
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

The father of a righteous man has great joy,
he who has a wise son delights in him.
May your father and mother be glad
may she who gave you birth
rejoice.

My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes keep to my ways,
for a prostitute is a deep pit
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.


Like a bandit she waits
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Those who linger over wine, who to to sample bowls of mixed wine.
Do not gaze on wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup
when it goes down smoothly!

In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.

Your eyes see strange sights
and your mind imagine
confusing things.

You will be like the one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.

They hit me, you will say, but I'm not hurt!
They beat me up, but I don't feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 24: 1 - 12

Do not envy wicked men,
do not desire their company,
for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.

By wisdom a house is built
and through understanding it is established,
through knowledge its rooms are filled,
with rare and beautiful treasures.

A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge,
increases strength,
for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisors.

Wisdom is too high for a fool,
in the assembly at the gate he
has nothing to say.

He who plots evil
will be known as a schemer,
The schemes of folly are sin,
and men detest a mocker.

If you falter in times of trouble,
how small is your strength!

Rescue those who are being led away to death,
hold back those staggering towards slaughter.

If you say, But we knew nothing about this,
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who guards your life know it?

Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 24: 13 - 22

Eat honey, my son, for it is good,
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul,
if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.

Do not lie in wait like an outlaw
against a righteous man's house,
do not raid his dwelling place,
for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,
but the wicked shall be brought down by calamity.

Do not gloat when your enemy falls,
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice.
or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath from him.

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked,
for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Fear the LORD and the king, my son
and do not join the rebellious,
for those two will send sudden destruction upon them,
and who knows what calamaties they can bring?

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

"Further Sayings of the Wise"

Proverbs 24: 23-34

These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judging is not good.

Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent" - people will curse him
and nations will denounce him.

But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come upon them.

An honest answer,
is like a kiss on the lips.

Finish your outdoor work,
and get your fields ready,
after that, build your house.

Do not testify against your neighbor without cause,
or use your lips to deceive.

Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me."
I'll pay him back for what he did.

I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man
who lacks judgment,
thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.

I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw,
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to
rest -
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

 

[Sunshine]

Proverbs 16: 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

With wisdom and understanding you will likely be able to acquire silver and gold. Not as likely to have it all if you choose just silver and gold sans wisdom and understanding. Look at all the broke lottery winners! LOL.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Kings

Proverbs 25: 1 - 7 KJV

These are the proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah
copied out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing
but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

The heaven for height,
and the earth for depth,
adn the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Take away the dross from silver
and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Take away the wicked from before the king,
and his throne shall be established
in righteousness.

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king
and stand nnot in the place of great men.

For better it is that it be said unto thee,
Come up hither,
than that thou shouldest be put lower
in the presence of the prince
whom thine eyes have seen.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 16: 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

With wisdom and understanding you will likely be able to acquire silver and gold. Not as likely to have it all if you choose just silver and gold sans wisdom and understanding. Look at all the broke lottery winners! LOL.

That is very true, Sunshine! It is very sad to think that those who can least afford lottery tickets buy them the most ( or so it appears ) and the majority will not win anyhow. Ill gotten gain cannot profit a man. Proverbs 13: 11 says wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminshed but he that gathereth by labor shall increase. So there is that to consider also. If a poor person gains wisdom they will be far ahead of the person who won the lottery without it.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Neighbors

Proverbs 25: 8-24

What you have seen with your eyes
do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbors put you to shame?

If you argue your case with a neighbor,
do not betray another man's confidence,
or he who hears it will shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.

A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings
of silver.

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold,
is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time,
is a trustworthy messenger to
those who send him,
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can be break a bone.

If you find honey, eat just
enough-
too much of it, and you will
vomit.

Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house -
too much of you, and he will hate you.

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow,
is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

Like a bad tooth or a lame foot,
is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on soda,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Enemies - NIV except where noted KJV

Proverbs 25: 21 - 24

If your enemy is hungry,
give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty,
give him water to drink,

In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.

The north wind driveth away rain, ( KJV )
so an angry countenance
a backbiting tongue.

Better to live on a corner of the roof,
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Yourself

Proverbs 25: 25 - 28

Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honourable to see one's own honor.

Like a city whose walls are broken down,
is a man who lacks self - control.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Fools

Proverbs 26: 1 - 12 - KJV

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
so honor is not seemly for a fool.

As a bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless
shall not come.

A whip for the horse,
a bridle for the ass,
and a rod for the fool's back.

Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own conceit.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

The legs of the lame are not equal,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling,
so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool,
and rewardeth transgressors.

As a dog returneth to his vomit,
so a fool returneth to his folly.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than of him.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Sluggards

Proverbs 26: 13 - 16

The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road,
a fierce lion in the streets!"

As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Relationships with Gossips

Proverbs 26: 17 - 28

Like one who seizes a dog by the
ears
is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows,
is a man who deceives his neighbor
and says, "I was only joking!"

Without wood a fire goes out,
without gossip a quarrel dies down.

As charcoal to embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels,
they go down to a man's inmost parts.

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware,
are fervent lips from an evil heart.

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but in his heart he harbors deceit.

Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for seven abominations fill his heart.

His malice may be concealed with deception,
but his wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.

If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it.
If a man rolls a stone, it will fall back on him.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering tongue
works ruin.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs Regulating Various Activities


Proverbs 27: 1 - 13

Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth,
someone else, and not your own lips.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation of a fool is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke,
than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.

He who is full loathes honey,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird who strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friends springs from his earnest counsel.

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,
and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you -
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Be wise, my song and bring joy to my heart,
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger,
hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 27: 14 - 27

If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day
restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit
and he who looks after his master will be honoured.

As water reflects a mans face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of a man.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but man is tested by the praise he receives.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds,
for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears,
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats milk,
to feed you and your family
and to nourish your servant girls.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Proverbs 28: 1 - 14

The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler who oppresses the poor,
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law resist them.

Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD
understand it fully.

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless,
than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

He who keeps the law is a discerning son
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
even his prayers are detestable.

He who leads the upright along an evil path,
will fall into his own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation,
but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.