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Speaker 1: walk with Christ, please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com.
Speaker 1: You're listening to the Chapter a Day Audio Bible. I'm
Speaker 1: John Stangey, and today we're in Proverbs chapter fourteen, and
Speaker 1: we'll be reading from the New Living Translation. A wise
Speaker 1: woman builds her home, but a foolishwoman tears it down
Speaker 1: with her own hands. Those who follow the right path
Speaker 1: fear the Lord, those who take the wrong path despise him.
Speaker 1: A fool's proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
Speaker 1: but the words of the wise keep them safe. Without oxen,
Speaker 1: a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox
Speaker 1: for a large harvest. An honest witness does not lie.
Speaker 1: A false witness breathes lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and
Speaker 1: never finds it. But knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
Speaker 1: Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on
Speaker 1: their lips. The prudent understand where they are going, but
Speaker 1: fools deceive themselves. Fools make fun of guilt, but the
Speaker 1: godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. Each heart knows its
Speaker 1: own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
Speaker 1: The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the
Speaker 1: tent of the godly will flourish. There is a path
Speaker 1: before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
Speaker 1: Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends,
Speaker 1: the grief remains. Sliders get what they deserve. Good people
Speaker 1: receive their reward. Only simpletons believe everything they're told. The
Speaker 1: prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and
Speaker 1: avoid danger. Fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Short tempered
Speaker 1: people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. Simpletons are
Speaker 1: clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Speaker 1: Evil people will bow before good people. The wicked will
Speaker 1: bow at the gates of the godly. The poor are
Speaker 1: despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.
Speaker 1: It is a sin to belittle one's neighbor. Blessed are
Speaker 1: those who help the poor. If you plan to do evil,
Speaker 1: you will be lost. If you play and to do good,
Speaker 1: you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Work brings profit,
Speaker 1: but mere talk leads to poverty. Wealth is a crown
Speaker 1: for the wives. The effort of fools yields only foolishness.
Speaker 1: A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is
Speaker 1: a traitor. Those who fear the Lord are secure he
Speaker 1: will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the
Speaker 1: Lord is a life giving fountain. It offers escape from
Speaker 1: the snares of death. A growing population is a king's glory.
Speaker 1: A prince without subjects has nothing. People with understanding control
Speaker 1: their anger. A hot temper shows great foolishness. A peaceful
Speaker 1: heart leads to a healthy body. Jealousy is like cancer
Speaker 1: in the bones. Those who oppress the poor insult their maker,
Speaker 1: but helping the poor honors him. The wicked are crushed
Speaker 1: by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
Speaker 1: Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart. Wisdom is not
Speaker 1: found among fools. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin
Speaker 1: is a disgrace to any people. A king rejoices in
Speaker 1: wise servants, but is angry with those who disgrace him.
Speaker 1: Let's pray, Lord, we thank you for your word, and
Speaker 1: we thank you for the privilege of being able to
Speaker 1: look at it together today. And we thank you, Lord
Speaker 1: for the reminders that were given in this particular chapter
Speaker 1: to look after the poor, to meet their needs, as
Speaker 1: you give us the ability to do so, and to
Speaker 1: be people who practice righteousness and wisdom. As you grant it, Lord,
Speaker 1: we know that in the earthly ministry of your son
Speaker 1: Jesus Christ, we see his compassion for the poor, and
Speaker 1: likewise we're reminded in the Gospels of the fact that
Speaker 1: on our own we are in spiritual poverty, and we
Speaker 1: have a spiritual need that can only be fulfilled and
Speaker 1: met by Jesus Christ. So, Lord, as we trust in
Speaker 1: your son Jesus Christ, we pray Lord that we would
Speaker 1: apply the truth of the Gospel in all of our
Speaker 1: interactions and in all of our dealings and in our
Speaker 1: mindset to others who have great needs. We're thankful, Lord
Speaker 1: for the ways that You've blessed us, and we pray
Speaker 1: that we would use the blessings that You've entrusted to
Speaker 1: us to bless others as well. We love you, Lord,
Speaker 1: we thank you for your presence with us today, and
Speaker 1: we pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.