Verses 1-9
v1 A wise son obeys his father’s instructions.
Someone who insults other people will not listen to words of correction.
v2 Good words have a good effect that lasts.
But the effect of an evil man’s words is cruelty.
v3 Take care with your words! They will protect your life.
Careless talk will destroy you.
v4 The lazy person gets nothing that he wants.
The worker gets everything that he desires.
v5 A good man hates lies.
An evil man is awful. He causes shame.
v6 A perfect man is safe because he is good.
An evil man will suffer a terrible fate.
v7 One man pretends that he is rich. Really, he has nothing.
Another man pretends that he is poor. Really, he is rich.
v8 A rich man has to use his wealth to protect his life from thieves.
A man who has no money is never in danger of thieves.
v9 A good man is like a bright light.
An evil man is like a candle that is going out.
Commentary
When we teach people about God, some people will listen. Other people refuse to listen. This is not our fault. Some people are ready to hear us, but other people are not. We should pray for them all. Sometimes, someone who refused our message will later accept it. See Mark 4:1-20.
Sometimes, many people must teach the Bible, before people believe it. Paul compared this to a plant, in the field. He wrote, ‘I sowed the seed. Another man called Apollos gave water to it. God made the seed grow. The person who sows is not important. The person who gives water is not important. Only God is important because only God makes plants grow.’ (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
As a tree has fruit, so good words have a good effect. Such words inform and help other people. An evil man’s words have a bad effect on himself and other people.
Our words can place us in danger. Or our words can protect us. Our words can make evil plans. Or our words can encourage and help other people. We have a choice.
Everybody desires good things. A person should work and earn money. Then he can buy the things that he desires.
A good man hates lies, but an evil man loves to tell lies. This is why the evil man causes shame.
We cannot make ourselves perfect. We must ask God to forgive us. He loves us. He even sent Jesus to suffer our punishment. Only God can make us perfect. Only God can forgive us for our evil deeds.
Verse 7 is similar to Proverbs 12:9.
There is an interesting connection between verses 7 and 8. A man, who pretends to be wealthy, places himself in danger. Unlike a rich man, however, he cannot use money to save himself. It is safer to pretend that you are poor!
In verse 8, a rich man has many benefits. He can use his money to save himself. However, the poor man escapes this danger. The thieves do not want to steal from a poor man. The thieves know that a poor man has nothing for them to steal. Some benefits of wealth are not real.
Light is better than darkness. On a journey at night, the wise man carries a bright light. He is safe, because of his light. He knows the right way, because of his light. He will arrive home safely. On the same journey, the evil man has only a candle, but its light is weak. He cannot see the right path. He will lose his way. He is in great danger.
‘God’s word is like a lamp for my feet. God’s word is like a light for my path.’ (Psalm 119:106) God’s word is the Bible. The Bible is like a light, because it guides us. The Bible teaches us how to live.
Verses 10-15
v10 Proud people always argue.
Wise people ask for advice.
v11 A thief’s money soon disappears.
Save your money! Your savings will grow.
v12 When you must wait for something, you are sad.
When you receive it, you will be truly content.
v13 If you refuse to obey instructions, you will suffer troubles.
But if you obey such commands, you will be safe.
v14 When a wise man teaches, he gives life.
His directions will change the life of a man who is in danger of death.
v15 Study wisdom carefully, and you will receive love.
Life is hard for the person that lies.
Commentary
Proud people argue because they speak their own thoughts. A proud person always thinks that he is right. He will not listen to anyone else.
A wise person behaves differently. Although a wise person is wise, he is willing to hear the advice of other people. A wise person has great understanding, because he listens to other people.
An evil person does not spend his money wisely. Often he does not save it for the future. He wastes it. Perhaps he spends it on beer and wine. Perhaps he places bets. Perhaps he takes risks. Sometimes thieves steal the money from him.
If a wise person has money, he spends it carefully. He saves the money that he does not need today. He is generous and he helps other people. Money is worth more, when a wise person owns it.
We do not receive everything immediately. Sometimes, we must wait. This can be difficult. We may not see quick results from our prayers. We should wait for God’s time. God will answer our prayers, if we ask for the right things.
Jesus told a story about an unfair judge. The judge refused to help a widow. She appealed to him many times. Finally, the judge agreed to help (Luke 18:1-8). God is better and kinder than an unfair judge. God will help us, when we pray.
People write books of instructions to help us. We should read and obey the instructions. Then, we shall be safer. A foolish person refuses to read instructions. He thinks that he knows what to do.
God gave his commands to us in order to help us. We should obey his commands. And we should live in the right way. Then we shall receive God’s reward.
Our church leaders and teachers need wisdom. They should respect God. Their lives should please God. Then when they teach, the people will benefit from their words.
Ordinary wisdom can save a person from natural dangers and death. God’s wisdom can save a person from the danger of hell. God’s wisdom will bring that person to heaven.
We should listen to other people. We should try to help them with their problems. If we are wise, then people will appreciate this. People will ask for our advice and they will respect us. They will love us, because of our wisdom.
If we learn from God, then we shall become wiser. God will love us, because we respect him. But nobody respects the person that lies. This person does not deserve love from anyone.
Verses 16-22
v16 A wise man uses his understanding to act wisely.
A fool shows that he is stupid by his actions.
v17 A bad servant, who does not deliver a message, causes trouble.
But a responsible servant will deliver the message. Instead of worry, he gives health.
v18 If you refuse correction, then you will become poor. You will suffer shame.
If you accept correction, then people will respect you.
v19 It is good to receive what you desire.
Fools hate the idea that they should stop their evil behavior.
v20 If you walk with wise people, then you will become wise.
If fools are your friends, then you will suffer.
v21 Trouble is like an enemy who follows an evil man.
But the good man’s reward is success.
v22 A good man’s wealth provides for his grandchildren.
An evil man may store his wealth, but good men will benefit from it.
Commentary
A wise person does not waste his knowledge. He loves knowledge, and he uses it well. He uses his knowledge to help other people. He uses his knowledge to stay safe. The wise man’s knowledge is like a workman’s tools.
A fool has no understanding, so he makes the wrong decisions. Everyone can see this. Everyone realizes that this man is stupid.
If we are Christians, then we carry a message from God to the people in the world. This message is very important. We must always tell the truth. We must not keep God’s message a secret.
Our message, as Christians, is a good message. This message cures the spirits of men and women. This message will help people to know God. This message will protect them from evil plots. This message will teach the way to heaven. God loves the people from every country. He will forgive them, if they trust in him. These are all good things.
We are like soldiers in God’s army. We should learn discipline. Sometimes we make mistakes. God shows us that we are wrong. We must not refuse God’s correction. If we gladly accept God’s correction, then God will give honor to us.
When God gives good things to somebody, then that person is glad. The person is even happier if he has had to wait for these things.
A fool is someone who refuses to respect God. He does not think to ask God for good things, because a fool hates God. The fool refuses to turn from his evil behavior because he loves evil things. A fool will not wait for good things. Instead, a fool wants evil things, now.
Choose your friends carefully! A person who is a friend of wise people listens to them. Then, he learns from them, and he himself becomes wiser.
In the same way, a friend of fools can suffer their troubles. If your friends do not love God, then think about this. You need to bring God’s message to your friends. You must refuse to do evil things if they test you. You should also have wise, Christian friends. They will help you to become a strong Christian.
Trouble is like an enemy who follows an evil man. The enemy will catch the evil man and attack him. This means that an evil person will suffer his punishment. He cannot avoid it. But success is like a friend who follows a good man. The good man will succeed. God will make sure of this.
A good man’s success helps other people. He will be able to help his children. He will even be able to help his grandchildren.
An evil man tries to copy this. He stores his money. He thinks that he is very wealthy. But he cannot benefit from his great wealth. When he dies, he will lose it all. In the end, everything belongs to God. See Luke 12:16-21.
Verse 23-25
v23 Fields can produce plenty of food.
But an evil man may not let poor people cultivate the fields.
Then the poor people cannot produce food for themselves.
v24 If a father will not punish his son, then that father hates his son.
A father who loves his son corrects his son.
v25 When a good man eats, he eats enough food.
But an evil man’s stomach is always hungry.
Commentary
Evil people can destroy many good things. This is one reason why today many people are poor. God has given great wealth to the people of the world. God gave land, which can produce plentiful supplies of food. But often, evil men prevent the supply of food to poor people.
As Christians, we must be fair and generous. Especially, poor people need our help.
A good parent should sometimes punish his child. The parent does not hate the child. Instead, the parent loves the child. This is why the parent punishes the child. This punishment will teach the child to have discipline.
This verse is not only about food. It is about satisfaction. An evil person always wants more things. He wants more food. He wants more money. He wants more possessions. He wants to be famous and successful. Even if he is already famous, then he wants to become more famous.
A good person does not need these things. He is content with the things that God gives to him.
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