[:en]Thoughts from Proverbs 17[:]

[:en]SON

“A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers” (v. 2)

“To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool” (v. 21)

“A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him” (v. 25)

HEART

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart” (v. 3)

“A man of perverse heart does not prosper” (v. 20a)

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (v. 22)

PEACE/ STRIFEĀ 

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife” (v. 1)

CHILDREN

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” (v. 6)

LIPS

“A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue” (v. 4)

“Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool – how much worse lying lips to a ruler!” (v. 7)

MOCKER

“He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished” (v. 5)

BRIBERY

“A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds” (v. 8)

“A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice”: (v. 23)

REBUKE

“A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool” (v. 10)

FOOL

“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly” (v. 12)

“Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” (v. 16)

“A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth” (v. 24)

EVILDOERS

“If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house”

QUARREL

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;. so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (v. 14)

“He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction” (v. 19)

INJUSTICE

“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent — the Lord detest them both” (v. 15)

“It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity” (v. 26)

FRIENDSHIP

“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends” (v. 9)

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (v. 17)

PLEDGE

“A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor” (v. 18)

TONGUES

“He whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble” (v. 20)

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (v. 28)

WORDS

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered” (v. 27)

Lessons Learned:

  1. Be at peace with one another
  2. Know how to discipline your son and be proud of your children
  3. Hold your tongue by keeping it silent
  4. Do not accept bribe and pervert justice
  5. Be willing to listen and accept cirticism
  6. Avoid quarrel and dispute
  7. Be just in dealing with people
  8. Be a good and loyal friend
  9. Do not put up security or pledge for your neighbor
  10. Guard your heart
  11. Use words with restrain and control your temper

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