Proverbs in three words

Chapter 19
(See February 2010 for chapters 20 and 27)

1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
[ Integrity > advancement. ]

2 Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
[ Do your research. ]

3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
his heart rages against the LORD.
[ Fools blame God. ]

4 Wealth brings many new friends,
but a poor man is deserted by his friend….
6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
[ Money brings popularity. ]

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape….
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
[Lies follow you.]

7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.
[ Poverty isn’t attractive. ]

8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
[ Wisdom is healthy. ]

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
much less for a slave to rule over princes.
[ Authority shouldn’t exceed power. ]*4 words

11 Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
[ Calmness isn’t passivity. ]

12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
[Leaders’ moods matter.]

13 A foolish son is ruin to his father,
and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
[Family relationships. Crucial.]

14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
[She’s a divine gift.] *3 content words

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.
[Up, or starve!]

16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.
[Mind your behavior.]

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will repay him for his deed.
[Charity is investment.]

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.
[ Spanking = lesser evil.]

19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
[ Anger ensnares consistently. ]

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future….
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
[ Improvement requires humility. ]

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
[ Your plans? Hah! ]

22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
[ Love’s what matters. ]

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
[ Reverence brings rest. ]

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
[ Finish it, bum. ]

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
[ Hard/easy way ]

26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is a son who brings shame and reproach.
[Cherish your parents.]

28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
[Justice is broccoli to the wicked.] *3 content words
[…and iniquity is pizza]

29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and beating for the backs of fools.
[You get what’s coming.] *3 content words