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.