Proverbs 18

Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God Our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today I beg your indulgence. Today’s blog is an act of humility for me. Sometimes I read a passage and fall in love with God and his word all over again. Sometimes while preparing to write a blog, I come to the conclusion that there are passages that need not be elaborated upon, and that sometimes the wisest thing a Pastor can do is to not get in the way. Today is one of those days. Next week I will elaborate, but today I feel led to just offer the passage. I pray that we all would simply APPLY the word of God. The passage is rendered in the New Revised Standard Version.

NRSV Proverbs Chapter 18:
Prov. 18:1 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.
Prov. 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing personal opinion.
Prov. 18:3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
Prov. 18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
Prov. 18:5 It is not right to be partial to the guilty,
or to subvert the innocent in judgment.
Prov. 18:6 A fool’s lips bring strife,
and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
Prov. 18:7 The mouths of fools are their ruin,
and their lips a snare to themselves.
Prov. 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Prov. 18:9 One who is slack in work
is close kin to a vandal.
Prov. 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run into it and are safe.
Prov. 18:11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
in their imagination it is like a high wall.
Prov. 18:12 Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,
but humility goes before honor.
Prov. 18:13 If one gives answer before hearing,
it is folly and shame.
Prov. 18:14 The human spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit—who can bear?
Prov. 18:15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Prov. 18:16 A gift opens doors;
it gives access to the great.
Prov. 18:17 The one who first states a case seems right,
until the other comes and cross-examines.
Prov. 18:18 Casting the lot puts an end to disputes
and decides between powerful contenders.
Prov. 18:19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;
such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
Prov. 18:20 From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Prov. 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and obtains favor from the LORD.
Prov. 18:23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
Prov. 18:24 Some friends play at friendship
but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.

Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
www.ihpfwc.org
pastor@ihpfwc.org
leocolon.wordpress.com