Ecclesiastes1: it’s all smoke

 In Ecclesiastes 1 we read:

1 These are the words of the Quester, David’s son and king in Jerusalem:

2-11 Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That’s what the Quester says.]

    There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke.

What’s there to show for a lifetime of work,

    a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone?

One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,

    but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old planet earth.

The sun comes up and the sun goes down,

    then does it again, and again—the same old round.

The wind blows south, the wind blows north.

    Around and around and around it blows,

    blowing this way, then that—the whirling, erratic wind.

All the rivers flow into the sea,

    but the sea never fills up.

The rivers keep flowing to the same old place,

    and then start all over and do it again.

Everything’s boring, utterly boring—

    no one can find any meaning in it.

Boring to the eye,

    boring to the ear.

What was will be again,

    what happened will happen again.

There’s nothing new on this earth.

    Year after year it’s the same old thing.

Does someone call out, “Hey, this is new”?

    Don’t get excited—it’s the same old story.

Nobody remembers what happened yesterday.

    And the things that will happen tomorrow?

Nobody’ll remember them either.

    Don’t count on being remembered.

> Does the sun or the wind work? They do the same thing again and again. Does a man work? What can he show after a lifetime of work? I am retired. I daresay I can't show much thing after a working life. In a way, it is very easy to agree with the Quester and at the same time, a Christian see the world in a different way. The Sun and the stars are full of misteries that scientists are trying to uncover.

I’ve Seen It All

12-14 Call me “the Quester.” I’ve been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I looked most carefully into everything, searched out all that is done on this earth. And let me tell you, there’s not much to write home about. God hasn’t made it easy for us. I’ve seen it all and it’s nothing but smoke—smoke, and spitting into the wind.

15 Life’s a corkscrew that can’t be straightened,

A minus that won’t add up.

16-17 I said to myself, “I know more and I’m wiser than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I’ve stockpiled wisdom and knowledge.” What I’ve finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless—nothing but spitting into the wind.

18 Much learning earns you much trouble.

The more you know, the more you hurt.

> It is easier for a thinker to go into depression than someone who doesn't think so much. Trying to find the meaning of (repetitive) things without connecting to the Lord is distressing.

Proverbs 31: a woman to king Lemuel

 in Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel,

    the strong advice his mother gave him:

2-3 “Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of!

    Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!

Don’t dilute your strength on fortune-hunting women,

    promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.

4-7 “Leaders can’t afford to make fools of themselves,

    gulping wine and swilling beer,

Lest, hung over, they don’t know right from wrong,

    and the people who depend on them are hurt.

Use wine and beer only as sedatives,

    to kill the pain and dull the ache

Of the terminally ill,

    for whom life is a living death.

> Will a drunker fight for the oppressed? Use wine as a sedative to kill the pain when really necessary. 

8-9 “Speak up for the people who have no voice,

    for the rights of all the misfits.

Speak out for justice!

    Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

Hymn to a Good Wife

10-31 A good woman is hard to find,

    and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,

    and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously

    all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,

    and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places

    and brings back exotic surprises.

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast

    for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,

    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,

    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,

    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,

    diligent in homemaking.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need,

    reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;

    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,

    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected

    when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,

    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,

    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,

    and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,

    and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;

    her husband joins in with words of praise:

“Many women have done wonderful things,

    but you’ve outclassed them all!”

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

    The woman to be admired and praised

    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!

    Adorn her life with praises!

> This woman executes many things. A person like that is generally compared to a tractor that pass over people with no compassion. For instance, the one who buys a field at a good price and then makes the field productive, generally, treats the workers as slaves. However, this woman is not spiteful and lives in the Fear-of-God. If Lemuel found a woman like that, he is blessed indeed.

proverbs 30: words of Agur

 Agur Speaks about God

[To God]

    This man’s declaration:

    “I’m weary, O El.

    I’m weary and worn out, O El.

2 I’m more like a dumb animal than a human being.

    I don’t even have human understanding.

3 I haven’t learned wisdom.

    I don’t have knowledge of the Holy One.[a]

[To the audience]

4 “Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

    Who has gathered the wind in the palm of his hand?

    Who has wrapped water in a garment?

    Who has set up the earth from one end to the other?

    What is his name or the name of his son?

    Certainly, you must know!

5 “Every word of Eloah has proven to be true.

    He is a Magen to those who come to him for protection.

6 Do not add to his words,

    or he will reprimand you, and you will be found to be a liar.

> Agur prays declaring that he is weary and his lack of wisdom. He makes a lot of questions to show things that he doesn't understand. It seems that he is asking the Lord to reveal Jesus. 

A Prayer

[To God]

7 “I’ve asked you for two things.

    Don’t keep them from me before I die:

8 Keep vanity and lies far away from me.

    Don’t give me either poverty or riches.

        Feed me only the food I need,

9 or I may feel satisfied and deny you

    and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’

        or I may become poor and steal

            and give the name of my Elohim a bad reputation.

> Agur asks two things to the Lord: to focus on what is important and to be satisfied with the food that is necessary to him (not too much, not too little).

Against Slander

[To the audience]

10 “Do not slander a slave to his master.

    The slave will curse you,

        and you will be found guilty.”

> In the MSG we read: Don’t blow the whistle on your fellow workers behind their backs; They’ll accuse you of being underhanded,  and then you’ll be the guilty one!

Four Kinds of People

11 A certain kind of person curses his father

    and does not bless his mother.

12 A certain kind of person thinks he is pure

    but is not washed from his own feces.[b]

13 A certain kind of person looks around arrogantly

    and is conceited.

14 A certain kind of person,

    whose teeth are like swords

        and whose jaws are like knives,

            devours oppressed people from the earth

                and people from among humanity.

> Four kinds of people that displeases the Lord. It is very difficult that a person who sees himself as pure but full of his own feces will come closer to the Lord, but the Lord may change his heart.

Human Bloodsuckers

15 The bloodsucking leech has two daughters—“Give!” and “Give!”

Four Things That Are Never Satisfied

    Three things are never satisfied.

    Four never say, “Enough!”:

16 the grave,

    a barren womb,

    a land that never gets enough water,

    a fire that does not say, “Enough!”

> It is impossible that a sinner finds satisfaction in his sins.

Disrespectful Children—Their Punishment

17 The eye that makes fun of a father and hates to obey a mother

    will be plucked out by ravens in the valley and eaten by young vultures.

Four Things of Intrigue

18 Three things are too amazing to me,

    even four that I cannot understand:

19 an eagle making its way through the sky,

    a snake making its way over a rock,

    a ship making its way through high seas,

    a man making his way with a virgin.

About the Woman Who Commits Adultery

20 This is the way of a woman who commits adultery:

    She eats, wipes her mouth,

        and says, “I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Four Things That Are Intolerable

21 Three things cause the earth to tremble,

    even four it cannot bear up under:

22 a slave when he becomes king,

    a godless fool when he is filled with food,

23 a woman who is unloved when she gets married,

    a maid when she replaces her mistress.

Four Things That Are Small—Yet Smart and Strong

24 Four things on earth are small,

    yet they are very wise:

25 Ants are not a strong species,

    yet they store their food in summer.

26 Rock badgers are not a mighty species,

    yet they make their home in the rocks.

27 Locusts have no king,

    yet all of them divide into swarms by instinct.

28 A lizard you can hold in your hands,

    yet it can even be found in royal palaces.

Four Things That Move with Dignity

29 There are three things that walk with dignity,

    even four that march with dignity:

30 a lion, mightiest among animals, which turns away from nothing,

31 a strutting rooster,[c]

    a male goat,

    a king at the head of his army.[d]

> Agur is observing the Lord's creation. He notices many interesting things. He sees some wisdom even in a small ant and he notices foolishness in a woman who commits adultery.

Keep Calm and Quiet

32 If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself,

    or if you scheme,

        you had better put your hand over your mouth.

33 As churning milk produces butter

    and punching a nose produces blood,

        so stirring up anger[e] produces a fight.

> Agur invites the reader that is behaving as a godless fool to be quiet  

Proverbs 29: the wicked can’t stand the sight of well-chosen goodness

 in Proverbs 29 we read:

7 The good-hearted understand what it’s like to be poor;

    the hardhearted haven’t the faintest idea.

> Good-hearted people have empathy for others.

8 A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;

    a group of sages can calm everyone down.

> Cynics don't have faith and hope.

9 A sage trying to work things out with a fool

    gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.

> It is great problem to work with a fool: instead of helping, he destroys a good job.

11 A fool lets it all hang out;

    a sage quietly mulls it over.

> We are prone to let it all happens, to let it go, but a sage medidates on what is happening and takes the proper action. 

12 When a leader listens to malicious gossip,

    all the workers get infected with evil.

16 When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,

    but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.

> A leader has great influence on the company, church, country, etc. Does he pay too much attention to the "market"? If so, he is not a good leader. Does the leader have energy to do what is right? If not, his company will collapse.

13 The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:

    they can both see—their sight, God’s gift!

14 Leadership gains authority and respect

    when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.

> Proverbs says that a lazy guy will end up poor and at the same time, Proverbs encourages us to help them - because we are all God's creatures.

15 Wise discipline imparts wisdom;

    spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.

17 Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did—

    they’ll turn out delightful to live with.

18 If people can’t see what God is doing,

    they stumble all over themselves;

But when they attend to what he reveals,

    they are most blessed.

> The fear of the Lord enables us to see what God is doing. 

19 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line;

    mere words go in one ear and out the other.

20 Observe the people who always talk before they think—

    even simpletons are better off than they are.

> Some people don't listen their authorities, some people don't think before saying anything.

21 If you let people treat you like a doormat,

    you’ll be quite forgotten in the end.

> This verse is very different from other translations. A more normal translation is: He who pampers his slave from childhood Will find him to be a son in the end. Eugene Peterson saw something like: a slave must talk to his superior with respect, and the superior must impose this respect. It is very common nowadays to see parents that let their children addressing to them with no respect.

24 Befriend an outlaw

    and become an enemy to yourself.

When the victims cry out,

    you’ll be included in their curses

    if you’re a coward to their cause in court.

> How fool is the friend of an outlaw!

25 The fear of human opinion disables;

    trusting in God protects you from that.

> The fear of the Lord gives us courage and enables us to do great things.

26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader,

    but only God will give us justice.

> Justice comes from the Lord.

27 Good people can’t stand the sight of deliberate evil;

    the wicked can’t stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.

> The wicked is very upset by the sight of goodness because it condemns him.

proverbs 28: be humble and learn wisdom

 In proverbs 28 we read:

If You Desert God’s Law

1 The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off

    even when no one’s after them;

Honest people are relaxed and confident,

    bold as lions.

> The Lord's people are bold, relaxed and confident because they have nothing to be afraid.

4 If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity;

    if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

> People are separated by God's law: the are pro or against it.

5 Justice makes no sense to the evilminded;

    those who seek God know it inside and out.

> Those who seek God know the concept of Justice; however, the evilminded doesn't care about justice.

7 Practice God’s law — get a reputation for wisdom;

    hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.

> A person is taken as good or bad depending on how he practices God's law or by what kind of people he joins.

9 God has no use for the prayers

    of the people who won’t listen to him.

> The Lord listens to prayers of people that are eager to listen to Him.

12 When good people are promoted, everything is great,

    but when the bad are in charge, watch out!

> If bad people are promoted in a company, it is time to sell their shares.

13 You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it;

    you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

18 Walk straight—live well and be saved;

    a devious life is a doomed life.

> "Repent!": you have to admit your sins and leave them to find mercy.

19 Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food;

    play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate.

20 Committed and persistent work pays off;

    get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.

> Do first things first.

21 Playing favorites is always a bad thing;

    you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.

28 When corruption takes over, good people go underground,

    but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.

> A judge must be impartial. He does a great harm when he accepts bribery. It is far better for good people to live in a corruption free country.

23 In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated

    far more than bootlicking flattery.

> The one who is brave and tells the truth, even if it hurts, becomes appreciated.

25 A grasping person stirs up trouble,

    but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.

> A grasping person thinks that he is lord of himself, that he must conquer what he deserves. The who trust in God gets peace.

26 If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure;

    real survivors learn wisdom from others.

> Be humble, learn wisdom from others.

Proverbs 27: become wise and make me happy!

 In Proverbs 27 we read:

1 Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow;

    you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.

2 Don’t call attention to yourself;

    let others do that for you.

> I was very happy when I retired, but I have always to keep in mind that my future and my rest is in the Lord's hand. In fact, I will only enjoy my retirement if the Lord provides me health.

7 When you’ve stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert;

    when you’re starved, you could eat a horse.

> This happens when investing money: the one who is satisfied with his earnings may act much more cautiously (refusing other investments, jobs, etc.) than the one who is in bad position. 

    

8 People who won’t settle down, wandering hither and yon,

    are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.

> A person who stays for a long time far from his home can´t preserve relationships. 

11 Become wise, dear child, and make me happy;

    then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.

> The Lord asks me, his child, to be wise. He is happy when I make wise decisions.

23-27 Know your sheep by name;

    carefully attend to your flocks;

(Don’t take them for granted;

    possessions don’t last forever, you know.)

And then, when the crops are in

    and the harvest is stored in the barns,

You can knit sweaters from lambs’ wool,

    and sell your goats for a profit;

There will be plenty of milk and meat

    to last your family through the winter.

> The good Shepherd knows his sheep by name. He also wants us to take care of our sheep (children, employees, students) individually. This will bring prosperity.    

proverb 26: your answer must be different to a fool guy

 In Proverbs 26 we read:

5 Answer a fool in simple terms

    so he doesn’t get a swelled head.

6 You’re only asking for trouble

    when you send a message by a fool.

> It is foolish to talk with a fool taking his reasoning very seriously.

11 As a dog eats its own vomit,

    so fools recycle silliness.

12 See that man who thinks he’s so smart?

    You can expect far more from a fool than from him.

16 Dreamers fantasize their self-importance;

    they think they are smarter

    than a whole college faculty.

> There are many silliness against the Bible that we listen everyday in the press. Perhaps they recicle silliness hoping that it will come true. Silliness are said by men who sees themselves as great authorities.

13 Loafers say, “It’s dangerous out there!

    Tigers are prowling the streets!”

    and then pull the covers back over their heads.

14 Just as a door turns on its hinges,

    so a lazybones turns back over in bed.

15 A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie,

    but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.

> A lazy person stops his work in face of imaginary problems.

18-19 People who shrug off deliberate deceptions,

    saying, “I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,”

Are worse than careless campers

    who walk away from smoldering campfires.

> Some imprudent people deceive others but when confronted, they say they were joking. 

proverbs25: self-control

 In proverbs 25 we read:

2 God delights in concealing things;

    scientists delight in discovering things.

> It is pleasure to study and contemplate the Lord's creation.

4-5 Remove impurities from the silver

    and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;

Remove the wicked from leadership

    and authority will be credible and God-honoring.

> The character of the leadership is very related to the prosperity of a nation. 

6-7 Don’t work yourself into the spotlight;

    don’t push your way into the place of prominence.

It’s better to be promoted to a place of honor

    than face humiliation by being demoted.

14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain

    is the person who talks big but never produces.

27 It’s not smart to stuff yourself with sweets,

    nor is glory piled on glory good for you.

> Jesus told us not to seek places of honor for ourselves.

8 Don’t jump to conclusions—there may be

    a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

> Don't judge very fast. Observe, think before taking conclusions.

9-10 In the heat of an argument,

    don’t betray confidences;

Word is sure to get around,

    and no one will trust you.

13 Reliable friends who do what they say

    are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

> Even in a argument, it is necessary not to tell things that should not be spoken (don't betray confidence). Be trustworhy.

11-12 The right word at the right time

    is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

And a wise friend’s timely reprimand

    is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

> The wise welcomes reprimands from a friend.

15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference;

    gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

> It is much easier to be angry and abandon a person in error, but patient persistence may really help to open the eyes of a stubborn guy.

A Person Without Self-Control

16-17 When you’re given a box of candy, don’t gulp it all down;

    eat too much chocolate and you’ll make yourself sick;

And when you find a friend, don’t outwear your welcome;

    show up at all hours and he’ll soon get fed up.

> Chocolate and a friend's visit is good, but not in excess.

18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors

    in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

> A loose cannon is a dangerous person who is unpredictable and impulsive. 

19 Trusting a double-crosser when you’re in trouble

    is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

> A double-crosser is a person who betrays someone by working against them, often secretly, who betrays someone. This proverb says to me that is important to discern who you trust.

20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted

    is like pouring salt in their wounds.

> A friend has empathy.

21-22 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;

    if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.

Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,

    and God will look after you.

> We want to harm our enemies, but the Bible teaches the opposite.

23 A north wind brings stormy weather,

    and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

> So, choose your friends. Don´t stay close to a gossy person.

24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack

    than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

> Choose your spouse.

25 Like a cool drink of water when you’re worn out and weary

    is a letter from a long-lost friend.

> A long-lost friend brings good memories. It is refreshing to reconnect with a good friend.

26 A good person who gives in to a bad person

    is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

> A good person must fear the Lord, but there are many "good persons" who fear a bad person. In a way, they become bad persons too.

28 A person without self-control

    is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

> The Bible says that who fears the Lord grows in self-control.

Proverbs 24: cynics desecrate beauty

 in Proverbs 24 we read:

Intelligence Outranks Muscle

19

24 1-2 Don’t envy bad people;

    don’t even want to be around them.

All they think about is causing a disturbance;

    all they talk about is making trouble.

> Be careful who you choose as companion.

20

3-4 It takes wisdom to build a house,

    and understanding to set it on a firm foundation;

It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms

    with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.

> It takes wisdom (and money) to build a house beginning with its foundation. It takes wisdom (and the Lord's blessing) to choose a spouse.

21

5-6 It’s better to be wise than strong;

    intelligence outranks muscle any day.

Strategic planning is the key to warfare;

    to win, you need a lot of good counsel.

29

19-20 Don’t bother your head with braggarts

    or wish you could succeed like the wicked.

Those people have no future at all;

    they’re headed down a dead-end street.

> It's better to be wise than rich, strong, wicked, etc. The wisdom is a gift from the Lord.

22

7 Wise conversation is way over the head of fools;

    in a serious discussion they haven’t a clue.

> it is interesting to listen to the conversation from leaders of a company. Are they wise?

23

8-9 The person who’s always cooking up some evil

    soon gets a reputation as prince of rogues.

Fools incubate sin;

    cynics desecrate beauty.

> Cynics are unhappy people that can't find wisdom or beauty outside themselves.

Rescue the Perishing

24

10 If you fall to pieces in a crisis,

    there wasn’t much to you in the first place.

27

15-16 Don’t interfere with good people’s lives;

    don’t try to get the best of them.

No matter how many times you trip them up,

    God-loyal people don’t stay down long;

Soon they’re up on their feet,

    while the wicked end up flat on their faces.

28

17-18 Don’t laugh when your enemy falls;

    don’t gloat over his collapse.

God might see, and become very provoked,

    and then take pity on his plight.

> Jesus finished the sermon of mount with a parable about two men: one who listened and practicced his words. He was prepared for the bad days. Another man listened but didn't practicced his words. He was not prepared for the bad days.

25

11-12 Rescue the perishing;

    don’t hesitate to step in and help.

If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,”

    will that get you off the hook?

Someone is watching you closely, you know—

    Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

> How should I rescue the perishing? A very obejctive way is to spread the gospel.

26

13-14 Eat honey, dear child—it’s good for you—

    and delicacies that melt in your mouth.

Likewise knowledge,

    and wisdom for your soul—

Get that and your future’s secured,

    your hope is on solid rock.

> Love to get wisdom; love to learn.

30

21-22 Fear God, dear child—respect your leaders;

    don’t be defiant or mutinous.

Without warning your life can turn upside down,

    and who knows how or when it might happen?

> Fear God is related to fear the consequences of being far from the Lord.

More Sayings of the Wise

An Honest Answer

23 It’s wrong, very wrong,

    to go along with injustice.

24-25 Whoever whitewashes the wicked

    gets a black mark in the history books,

But whoever exposes the wicked

    will be thanked and rewarded.

> Some read the Bible and understant that we are not to confront the wicked. This proverbs says the opposite: exposes (condemn) the wicked and you will be rewarded.

26 An honest answer

    is like a warm hug.

> Although an honest answer may harm some, it like a warm hug. An honest answer shows respect and love.

27 First plant your fields;

    then build your barn.

> There is an order to follow when doing things.

28-29 Don’t talk about your neighbors behind their backs—

    no slander or gossip, please.

Don’t say to anyone, “I’ll get back at you for what you did to me.

    I’ll make you pay for what you did!”

> Take care of your mouth: don't gossip and even don't promise to harm someone.

30-34 One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones,

    and then passed the vineyard of a slob;

They were overgrown with weeds,

    thick with thistles, all the fences broken down.

I took a long look and pondered what I saw;

    the fields preached me a sermon and I listened:

“A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,

    sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?

Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,

    with poverty as your permanent houseguest!”

> Don't be lazy: do what you have to do; otherwise you may end up very poor.

Proverbs23: wisdom is precious

 In Proverbs 23 we read:

Restrain Yourself

6

1-3 When you go out to dinner with an influential person,

    mind your manners:

Don’t gobble your food,

    don’t talk with your mouth full.

And don’t stuff yourself;

    bridle your appetite.

Restrain yourself when you have a dinner with an influential person.

8

6-8 Don’t accept a meal from a tightwad;

    don’t expect anything special.

He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;

    he’ll say, “Eat! Drink!” but won’t mean a word of it.

His miserly serving will turn your stomach

    when you realize the meal’s a sham.

Restrain yourself when you have a dinner with a tightwad.

It is wise (to live longer) to restrain yourself even when you have dinner alone.

7

4-5 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;

    restrain yourself!

Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;

    wealth sprouts wings

    and flies off into the wild blue yonder.

What for do I live? To please the Lord? If so, the Lord wants me to be grateful to what He has done to me. 

9

9 Don’t bother talking sense to fools;

    they’ll only poke fun at your words.

Christians must to spread the Word with caution because they must study how is the reaction of their listeners.

12

13-14 Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones;

    a spanking won’t kill them.

A good spanking, in fact, might save them

    from something worse than death.

The Lord corrects his sons, and we must do the same as parents.

13

15-16 Dear child, if you become wise,

    I’ll be one happy parent.

My heart will dance and sing

    to the tuneful truth you’ll speak.

The father rejoices when he sees wisdom in his son.

Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight

16

22-25 Listen with respect to the father who raised you,

    and when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her.

Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money;

    buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.

Parents rejoice when their children turn out well;

    wise children become proud parents.

So make your father happy!

    Make your mother proud!

Is wisdom free of charge? The wise understands how wisdom is valuable.

proverbs22: have a reputation, be good at your work.

 In proverbs 22 we read:

1 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich;

    a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

Any company should value much more its reputation than short-term profits to stay in business. Although, we must do what is correct by the fear of the Lord, it may have good consequences for business too.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—

    God made them both!

7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich,

    so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.

9 Generous hands are blessed hands

    because they give bread to the poor.

16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever,

    you’ll end up the poorer for it.

22-23 Don’t walk on the poor just because they’re poor,

    and don’t use your position to crush the weak,

Because God will come to their defense;

    the life you took, he’ll take from you and give back to them.

The rich must not despise the poor. We are created as the image of God. The poor must take care not put himself as a slave of the rich through borrowing. The Lord bless generous hands.

3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;

    a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick;

    if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it.

The prudent and the simpleton see the same things but interpret them differently. 

4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God

    is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

6 Point your kids in the right direction—

    when they’re old they won’t be lost.

If you want to end your life in earth with a satisfying life be meek and have the fear of the Lord. It is difficult to change life when older, so blessed are the children who are shown the right direction!

8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,

    and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

Many proverbs saying that we have our reward or punishment.

10 Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down;

    you need a break from bickering and griping!

If you are a teacher kick out the troublemakers and the class will be ok. 

13 The loafer says, “There’s a lion on the loose!

    If I go out I’ll be eaten alive!”

The loafer always finds motives to not work.

15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;

    the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

Young people must be disciplined to apart from foolishness and fads.

24-25 Don’t hang out with angry people;

    don’t keep company with hotheads.

Bad temper is contagious—

    don’t get infected.

You are strongly influenced by your companion. 

29 Observe people who are good at their work—

    skilled workers are always in demand and admired;

    they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

If you want to prosper, be good at your work.

proverb21: trust God and be prepared for the worst

In Proverbs 21 we read:

2 We justify our actions by appearances;

    God examines our motives.

3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors

    mean far more to God than religious performance.

> The motives are important to the Lord, not only the actions. In our world, the end justify the means with no care about actions and even less motives. The Lord is not interested in religious performance in itself.

4 Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—

    are just plain sin.

> Arrogance and pride are very difficult to detect in our own heart and even in others, but they are against wisdom and the fear of the Lord.

5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;

    hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

> The Bible incentives us to careful planning, to use our minds. 

8 Mixed motives twist life into tangles;

    pure motives take you straight down the road.

29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot;

    honest people are sure of their steps.

> It is very good to walk with a firm direction, with pure motives. The one with mixed motives walk in a tortous direction.

9 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack

    than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

19 Better to live in a tent in the wild

    than with a cross and petulant spouse.

> Be careful to choose your spouse!

12 A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked

    and undo the evil they’ve planned.

> This verse is translated in many ways. In this translation, A person understands that another is evil and deals properly with him. In other translations, the Lord deals properly with evel people. Jesus told us to be wise as the serpents. It is necessary to deal properly with evil people: when to treat them in a good or bad way.

13 If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,

    your cries will go unheard, unanswered.

> If you are not merciful to others you will not receive mercy.

16 Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow

    ends up in a congregation of ghosts.

> A verse saying that is necessary to watch and pray in order to keep in the narrow way.

20 Valuables are safe in a wise person’s home;

    fools put it all out for yard sales.

> The wise person knows how to keep valuables.

21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind

    finds life itself—glorious life!

> Don't waist your life! Pursue what is right and kind.

22 One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers—

    their trusted defenses fell to pieces!

> It seems to me like a story plot to be developed.

23 Watch your words and hold your tongue;

    you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.

25 Lazy people finally die of hunger

    because they won’t get up and go to work.

> There are consequences for our laziness.

26 Sinners are always wanting what they don’t have;

    the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.

> God-loyal people are generous. God-loyal people work, so that they have what to share.

28 A lying witness is unconvincing;

    a person who speaks truth is respected.

> The one who lies is not respected, not trusted.

30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived,

    can get the better of God.

31 Do your best, prepare for the worst—

    then trust God to bring victory.

> The Lord does what He wishes and even so, he commands us to be prepared for the battle of our lives.

Proverbs 20: Knowing what is right

 In Proverbs 20 we read:

3 It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels,

    but fools love to pick fights.

Jesus related to forgive others to be forgiven by the Father. 

4 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring

    has nothing to harvest in the fall.

13 Don’t be too fond of sleep; you’ll end up in the poorhouse.

    Wake up and get up; then there’ll be food on the table.

It is the Lord who gives earth, seeds, sun to grow the plant but He wants us to work on the his creation.

5 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;

    a wise person draws from the well within.

6 Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,

    but where on earth can you find one?

8-9 Leaders who know their business and care

    keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,

For who among us can be trusted

    to be always diligent and honest?

11 Young people eventually reveal by their actions

    if their motives are on the up and up.

14 The shopper says, “That’s junk—I’ll take it off your hands,”

    then goes off boasting of the bargain.

26 After careful scrutiny, a wise leader

    makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

It is very difficult to judge people, but a proper judgement evolves a lot of empathy and reflection.

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—

    we get our basic equipment from God!

The Lord is the one who makes us understand.

7 God-loyal people, living honest lives,

    make it much easier for their children.

I want to make life easier to my children.

10 Switching price tags and padding the expense account

    are two things God hates.

23 God hates cheating in the marketplace;

    rigged scales are an outrage.

Do to others what you expect others do to you.

15 Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge

    is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

We spend much time taking care of our bodies, but it is much better to spend time taking care of our minds.

18 Form your purpose by asking for counsel,

    then carry it out using all the help you can get.

Other people can help us to get a better understanding of the Bible, of financial and medical decisions.

19 Gossips can’t keep secrets,

    so never confide in blabbermouths.

Don't trust in anyone who gossips to you.

20 Anyone who curses father and mother

    extinguishes light and exists benighted.

Father and mother are instruments of the Lord to guide us.

22 Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!”

    Wait for God; he’ll settle the score.

It is very easy to get angry, judge and punish who offended us. It is much better to wait fo God's justice.

24 The very steps we take come from God;

    otherwise how would we know where we’re going?

Jesus is the Way. Unless we are in the Way, we can't know where we are going.

25 An impulsive vow is a trap;

    later you’ll wish you could get out of it.

It is important to make vows (to be responsible is to make a vow), but it is foolish to make impulsive vows.

27 God is in charge of human life,

    watching and examining us inside and out.

Those who fears the Lord, understand that we can't hide from Him.

28 Love and truth form a good leader;

    sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

It may be applied to companies.

30 A good thrashing purges evil;

    punishment goes deep within us.

It is much better to belong to a class where the teacher punishes bad behavior than to belong a class with no leadership.

Proverbs 19: humans make plans, the Lord's purpose prevails.

 In Proverbs 19 we read:

3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity,

    so why does God always get blamed?

21 We humans keep brainstorming options and plans,

    but God’s purpose prevails.

23 Fear-of-God is life itself,

    a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises.

27 If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own,

    you’ll soon be out of your depth.

The Bible talks about the sovereignty of the Lord and the responsibility of men. Here we see that the Lord gets blamed by the bad decisions of men. The Lord wants us to use our heads, to think, to plain, although his purpose prevails.

4 Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies,

    but poor people are avoided like a plague.

6 Lots of people flock around a generous person;

    everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist.

7 When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you—

    yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost.

If they see you coming, they look the other way—

    out of sight, out of mind.

17 Mercy to the needy is a loan to God,

    and God pays back those loans in full.

We like to be surrounded by successful people and we avoid failed people, but is it good? The Lord is merciful and wants us to be merciful.

9 The person who tells lies gets caught;

    the person who spreads rumors is ruined.

11 Smart people know how to hold their tongue;

    their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

22 It’s only human to want to make a buck,

    but it’s better to be poor than a liar.

28 An unprincipled witness desecrates justice;

    the mouths of the wicked spew malice.

The Lord wants us to make a good use of our tongue. We may lie to ruin others or we may lie to earn something. Both motives are wrong.

8 Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor;

    keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.

16 Keep the rules and keep your life;

    careless living kills.

A wise man loves himself, takes care of himself.

10 Blockheads shouldn’t live on easy street

    any more than workers should give orders to their boss.

24 Some people dig a fork into the pie

    but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.

Don't be lazy.

14 House and land are handed down from parents,

    but a congenial spouse comes straight from God.

It is good to ask for the Provider to get a spouse.

18 Discipline your children while you still have the chance;

    indulging them destroys them.

25 Punish the insolent—make an example of them.

    Who knows? Somebody might learn a good lesson.

20 Take good counsel and accept correction—

    that’s the way to live wisely and well.

26 Kids who lash out against their parents

    are an embarrassment and disgrace.

29 The irreverent have to learn reverence the hard way;

    only a slap in the face brings fools to attention.

Today we see many undisciplined children. The Lord himself disciplines us and He wants we do the same to our children.

19 Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger;

    if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse.

Let the angry people suffers the consequence of their acts.

Proverbs 18: loners, false friends and true friends.

 In Proverbs 18 we read:

1 Loners who care only for themselves

    spit on the common good.

The Lord called everyone to be part of a church e not live a lonely life, however, it is very difficult to live in communion. The Lord wants that a lonely person (like me) cares for others.

12 Pride first, then the crash,

    but humility is precursor to honor.

15 Wise men and women are always learning,

    always listening for fresh insights.

The humble is the one who listens and are always learning while the proud has not fresh insights.

18 You may have to draw straws

    when faced with a tough decision.

There are moments when we are stuck and we need to take a decision. In some cases it is advisable to play dice instead of getting stuck.

21 Words kill, words give life;

    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

Let the words of my mouth bless others.

23 The poor speak in soft supplications;

    the rich bark out answers.

The poor begs for help. The Lord bless the humble and poor. 

24 A person of too many friends comes to ruin,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The one who seeks to be popular (as in a social network) has a bad purpose in life; instead, he should look for real friends.