The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Remember that friend of yours who was always picking on you for doing what was right? They said, “Don’t plan for your future, just live for today. Nothing matters except for having fun.” One day, when you’re older you’re going to see their face pop up on Facebook. And you will wonder if they are as happy as you. You won’t know for sure until you get to heaven but this line is to remind you that it really doesn’t matter.
He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him. A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
So, that person you always compare yourself to – the one we were talking about before. They don’t really matter in the end. At the end of the day, you are responsible for what you do. If they do stupid, irresponsible things they will learn the consequences. No one can be a bad influence on you unless you let them. Be aware. You owe it to yourself to make smart choices.
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Which is why you shouldn’t let those people get under your skin. Sure, you’d like to see them fail. Sure, life is extremely unfair or capricious at times. Sure, you wish divine justice played out on earth every single time.
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his. A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
I hope you notice that it doesn’t say, “The wise man makes sure everyone knows he is wise”. It’s more organic than that. the wise man is wise and he can sleep at night because he knows he did what he was supposed to do. That is the real blessing.
Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
Everyone around you is going to be petty. Even spiritual leaders, like teachers, deacons, elders and pastors are going to do petty things. They are going to fight over silliness. They are going to belittle and hurt you but, that’s not the point. Is it?
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
What is the point? You may question, when you consider the unfairness of life.
The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
When you consider the unfairness of life, there it is.
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
