"The Mouth, pt.2" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

To people belong the plans of the heart,
but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
The skilled mind is called discerning,
and pleasant speech enhances teaching.
The mind of the wise makes their speech insightful
and enhances the teaching of their lips.
Pleasant words are flowing honey,
sweet to the taste and healing to the bones.
Worthless people dig up trouble;
their lips are like a scorching fire.
Destructive people produce conflict;
gossips alienate close friends.
(Proverbs 16:1,21,23-24,27-28 CEB)

An evildoer pays attention to guilty lips;
a liar listens to a destructive tongue.
Too much talking isn’t right for a fool;
even less so false speech for an honorable person.
One who seeks love conceals an offense,
but one who repeats it divides friends.
Those with crooked hearts won’t prosper,
and those with twisted tongues will fall into trouble.
Wise are those who restrain their talking;
people with understanding are cool headed.
Fools who keep quiet are deemed wise;
those who shut their lips are smart.
(Proverbs 17:4,7,9,20,27-28 CEB)

The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,
a bubbling stream, a fountain of wisdom.
The lips of fools make accusations;
their mouths elicit beatings.
The mouth of fools is their ruin;
their lips are a trap for their lives.
The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
they go down to the inmost parts.
The stomach is satisfied
by the fruit of the mouth;
one’s lips can earn a satisfying income.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
those who love it will eat its fruit.
(Proverbs 18:4,6-8,20-21 CEB)

Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to have dishonest lips and be a fool.
A worthless witness mocks justice;
the wicked mouth gulps down trouble.
(Proverbs 19:1,28 CEB)

Much gold and many pearls exist,
but wise speech is the most precious jewel.
Gossips reveal secrets;
don’t associate with those who talk too much.
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and only reflect after making the promise.
(Proverbs 20:15,19,25 CEB)

Those who gain treasure with lies
are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
guard themselves from trouble.
A lying witness will perish,
but one who listens will testify successfully.
(Proverbs 21:6,23,28 CEB)

Don’t speak in the ears of fools,
for they will scorn your insightful words.
My child, if your heart is wise,
then my heart too will be happy.
My inner being will rejoice
when your lips speak with integrity.
(Proverbs 23:9,15-16 CEB)

Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without reason;
don’t deceive with your lips.
Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they did to me.
I’ll pay them back for their actions.”
(Proverbs 24:28-29 CEB)

What your eyes see, don’t be quick to quarrel over;
what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?
Argue it out with your neighbor,
and don’t give away someone’s secret.
Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you;
the slander against you will never stop.
Words spoken at the right time
are like gold apples in a silver setting.
Wise correction to an ear that listens
is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.
(Proverbs 25:8-12 CEB)

Don’t answer fools according to their folly,
or you will become like them yourself.
As legs dangle from a disabled person,
so does a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like a thorny bush in the hand of a drunk,
so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossips, conflict calms down.
The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
they go down to the inmost parts.
Smooth lips and an evil heart
are like silver coating on clay.
Hateful people mislead with their lips,
keeping their deception within.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
a flattering mouth causes destruction.
(Proverbs 26:4,7,9,20,22-24,28 CEB)

Don’t brag about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day will bring.
Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
A crucible is for silver and a furnace for gold,
so are people in the presence of someone who praises them.
(Proverbs 27:1-2,21 CEB)

Do you see people who are quick to speak?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
(Proverbs 29:20 CEB)

If you’ve been foolish and arrogant,
if you’ve been scheming,
put your hand to your mouth,
because churning milk makes curds,
squeezing the nose brings blood,
and stirring up anger produces strife.
(Proverbs 30:32-33 CEB)

Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor.
(Proverbs 31:8-9 CEB)

"The Mouth, pt.1" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Have nothing to do with a corrupt mouth;
keep devious lips far from you.
(Proverbs 4:24 CEB)

Worthless people and guilty people
go around with crooked talk.
(Proverbs 6:12 CEB)

Doesn’t Wisdom cry out
and Understanding shout?
Listen, for I speak things that are correct;
from my lips comes what is right.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
nothing in them is twisted or crooked.
(Proverbs 8:1,6,8 CEB)

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding,
but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.
The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.
Lying lips conceal hate,
and those who spread slander are fools.
With lots of words comes wrongdoing,
but the wise restrain their lips.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked lacks value.
The lips of the righteous nourish many people,
but fools who lack sense will die.
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
but the twisted tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the wise know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.
(Proverbs 10:11,13-14,18-21,31-32 CEB)

The godless destroy their neighbors by their words,
but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
A city is honored by the blessing of the virtuous;
it is destroyed by the words of the wicked.
A slanderer walks around revealing secrets,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
(Proverbs 11:9,11,13 CEB)

The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
but the speech of those who do right rescues them.
The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
but the righteous escape from distress.
From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied;
their work results in reward.
Those who state the truth speak justly,
but a false witness deceives.
Some chatter on like a stabbing sword,
but a wise tongue heals.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.
The Lord detests false lips;
he favors those who do what is true.
Anxiety leads to depression,
but a good word encourages.
(Proverbs 12:6,13-14,17-19,22,25 CEB)

People eat well from the fruit of their words,
but the treacherous have an appetite only for violence.
People who watch their mouths guard their lives,
but those who open their lips are ruined.
(Proverbs 13:2-3 CEB)

Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
There is profit in hard work,
but mere talk leads to poverty.
(Proverbs 14:3,23 CEB)

A sensitive answer turns back wrath,
but an offensive word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool gushes with stupidity.
Wholesome speech is a tree of life,
but dishonest talk breaks the spirit.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools have none.
An understanding heart seeks knowledge;
but fools feed on folly.
The Lord detests evil plans,
but gracious words are pure.
The righteous heart reflects before answering,
but the wicked mouth blurts out evil.
To give an appropriate answer is a joy;
how good is a word at the right time!
(Proverbs 15:1-2,4,7,14,26,28,23 CEB)

"Truth vs Lying" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
(Proverbs 3:3-4) 

These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
(Proverbs 6:16-19)

Doesn’t Wisdom cry out
and Understanding shout?
Listen, for I speak things that are correct;
from my lips comes what is right.
My mouth utters the truth;
my lips despise wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
nothing in them is twisted or crooked.
All of them are straightforward to those who understand,
and upright for the knowledgeable.
(Proverbs 8:1,6-9 CEB)

Those who state the truth speak justly,
but a false witness deceives.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.
The Lord detests false lips;
he favors those who do what is true.
(Proverbs 12:17,19,22 CEB)

The righteous hate false words,
but the wicked create disgust and scorn.
(Proverbs 13:5 CEB)

A truthful witness doesn’t lie,
but a false witness spews lies.
A truthful witness saves lives,
but a deceiver proclaims lies.
(Proverbs 14:5,25 CEB)

Wholesome speech is a tree of life,
but dishonest talk breaks the spirit.
(Proverbs 15:4 CEB)

An evildoer pays attention to guilty lips;
a liar listens to a destructive tongue.
Too much talking isn’t right for a fool;
even less so, false speech for an honorable person.
Those with crooked hearts won’t prosper,
and those with twisted tongues will fall into trouble.
(Proverbs 17:4,7,20 CEB)

Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to have dishonest lips and be a fool.
A false witness won’t go unpunished,
and a liar won’t escape.
False witnesses won’t go unpunished,
and liars will perish.
People long for trustworthiness;
it is better to be poor than a liar.
(Proverbs 19:1,5,9,22 CEB)

Those who gain treasure with lies
are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
A lying witness will perish,
but one who listens will testify successfully.
(Proverbs 21:6,28 CEB)

Buy truth and don’t sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
(Proverbs 23:23 CEB)

An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips.
(Proverbs 24:26 ERV)

All God’s words are tried and true;
a shield for those who take refuge in him.
Don’t add to his words,
or he will correct you and show you to be a liar.
Two things I ask of you;
don’t keep them from me before I die:
(Fraud and lies—
keep far from me!)
Don’t give me either poverty or wealth;
give me just the food I need.
Or I’ll be full and deny you,
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or I’ll be poor and steal,
and dishonor my God’s name.
(Proverbs 30:5-9 CEB)

"Humility vs Pride" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

He mocks mockers,
but He shows favor to the humble.
(Proverbs 3:34 CEB)

To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate pride and arrogance,
the path of evil and corrupt speech.
(Proverbs 8:13 CEB)

When pride comes, so does shame,
but wisdom brings humility.
(Proverbs 11:2 CEB)

The empty-headed cause conflict out of pride;
those who take advice are wise.
(Proverbs 13:10 CEB)

Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
(Proverbs 14:3 CEB)

The fear of the Lord is wise instruction,
and humility comes before respect.
(Proverbs 15:33 CEB)

The Lord detests all who are arrogant;
they surely won’t go unpunished.
Pride comes before disaster,
and arrogance before a fall.
Better to be humble with the needy
than to divide plunder with the proud.
(Proverbs 16:5,18-19 CEB)

Pride comes before a disaster,
but humility comes before respect.
(Proverbs 18:12 CEB)

Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and
the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
(Proverbs 21:4 CEB)

The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
is [eternal] wealth, honor, and life.
(Proverbs 22:4 CEB)

People who brag about a gift never given
are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.
(Proverbs 25:14 CEB)

Do you see people who consider themselves wise?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
(Proverbs 26:12 CEB)

Don’t brag about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day will bring.
(Proverbs 27:1 CEB)

Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
Greedy people stir up conflict,
but those who trust the Lord become prosperous.
(Proverbs 28:11,25 CEB)

Pride lays people low,
but those of humble spirit gain honor.
(Proverbs 29:23 CEB)

There are those who curse their father
and don’t bless their mother.
There are those who think they are clean,
but haven’t washed off their own excrement.
There are those—
how arrogant are their eyes;
how their eyebrows are raised!
There are those whose teeth are swords;
their jaw is a butcher’s knife,
ready to devour the needy from the earth,
and the poor from humanity.
If you’ve been foolish and arrogant,
if you’ve been scheming,
put your hand to your mouth,
because churning milk makes curds,
squeezing the nose brings blood,
and stirring up anger produces strife.
(Proverbs 30:11-14,32-33 CEB)

"What God Hates and Loves" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Devious people are detestable to the Lord,
but the virtuous are his close friends.
(Proverbs 3:32 CEB)

There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven things detestable to him:
snobbish eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that spill innocent blood,
a heart set on wicked plans,
feet that run quickly to evil,
a false witness who breathes lies,
and one who causes conflicts among relatives.
(Proverbs 6:16-19 CEB)

The Lord hates false scales [cheating],
but he loves accurate weights [honesty].
The Lord hates those who love to do evil,
but he is pleased with those who try to do right.
(Proverbs 11:1,20 ERV)

The Lord hates people who tell lies,
but he is pleased with those who tell the truth.
(Proverbs 12:22 ERV)

The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
but favors the prayers of those who do right.
The Lord detests the path of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.
The Lord detests evil plans,
but gracious words are pure.
(Proverbs 15:8-9,26 CEB)

The Lord hates those who are proud.
You can be sure he will punish them all.
The Lord wants all scales and balances to be right;
he wants all business agreements to be fair.
(Proverbs 16:5,11 ERV)

The Lord hates these two things:
punishing the innocent and letting the guilty go free.
(Proverbs 17:15 ERV)

The Lord hates for people to use the wrong weights
and measures to cheat others.
The Lord hates for people to use the wrong weights to cheat others.
It is wrong to use scales that are not accurate.
(Proverbs 20:10,23 ERV)

The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
especially when brought with devious motives.
(Proverbs 21:27 CEB)

Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction—
even their prayers will be detested.
(Proverbs 28:9 CEB)

"The Righteous vs The Evil, pt.3" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to have dishonest lips and be a fool.
A false witness won’t go unpunished,
and a liar won’t escape.
False witnesses won’t go unpunished,
and liars will perish.
(Proverbs 19:1,5,9 CEB)

The righteous live with integrity;

happy are their children who come after them.
(Proverbs 20:7 CEB)

Wicked people desire evil;
their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
The righteous one observes the house of the wicked,
turning the wicked toward trouble.
Acting justly is a joy to the righteous,
but dreaded by those who do evil.
People who wander from the path of insight
will rest in the company of the dead.
The wicked are a ransom for the righteous;
the treacherous will be punished in the place of the virtuous.
Those who pursue righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
especially when brought with devious motives.
The wicked person appears brash,
but the virtuous think about the path ahead.
(Proverbs 21:10,12,15-16,18,21,27,29 CEB)

Those who sow injustice will harvest evil;
the rod of their fury will come to an end.
(Proverbs 22:8 CEB)

Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
but fear the Lord constantly;
then you will have a future,
and your hope won’t be cut off.
(Proverbs 23:17-18 CEB)

Those who plot evil
will be called master schemers.
The scheming of fools is sin;
people detest mockers.
Wicked one, don’t wait secretly at the home of the righteous.
Don’t destroy their dwelling.
The righteous may fall seven times but still get up,
but the wicked will stumble into trouble.
When your enemies fall, don’t rejoice.
When they stumble, don’t let your heart be glad,
or the Lord will see it and be displeased,
and he will turn his anger from them.
Don’t get fighting mad at evil people;
don’t be envious of the wicked.
Indeed, there is no future for the evil;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
(Proverbs 24:8-9,15-20 CEB)

If your enemies are starving, feed them some bread;
if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
By doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
(Proverbs 25:21-22 CEB)

They may cover their hatred with trickery,
but their evil will be revealed in public.
Those who dig a pit will fall in it;
those who roll a stone will have it turn back on them.
(Proverbs 26:26-27 CEB)

Prudent people see evil and hide;
the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
(Proverbs 27:12 CEB)

The wicked run away even though no one pursues them,
but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path
will fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good things.
Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect,
but people hide when the wicked prosper.
Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,
but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
Happy are those who are continually fearful,
but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
When the wicked rise up, people hide,
but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
(Proverbs 28:1,4-6, 10-14,28 CEB)

The wicked are snared by their own sin;
the righteous sing and rejoice.
The righteous know the rights of the poor,
but the wicked don’t understand.
When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes;
the righteous will see their downfall.
The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous;
the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.
(Proverbs 29:6-7,16,27 CEB)

"The Righteous vs The Evil, pt.2" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

The Lord favors good people,
but he condemns schemers.
No one is established by wicked acts,
but the roots of the righteous can’t be disturbed.
The plans of the righteous are just,
but the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
but the speech of those who do right rescues them.
The wicked are destroyed and are no more,
but the family of the righteous will endure.
A person is praised for his insight,
but a warped mind leads to contempt.
Desiring evil is a trap for the wicked,
but the root of the righteous endures.
The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
but the righteous escape from distress.
No [eternal] harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked receive their fill of trouble.
The way of the righteous leads to life,
but the detestable path leads to death.
(Proverbs 12:2-3,5-8,12-13,21,28 CEB)

The righteous hate false words,
but the wicked create disgust and scorn.
Righteousness guards the innocent on the path,
but wickedness misleads sinners.
The light of the righteous rejoices,
but the lamp of the wicked goes out.
Trouble pursues sinners,
but good things reward the righteous.
Good people leave their grandchildren an inheritance,
but the wealth of sinners is stored up for the righteous.
The righteous eat their fill,
but the wicked have empty stomachs.
(Proverbs 13:5-6,9,21-22,25 CEB)

The house of the wicked is destroyed,
but the tent flourishes for those who do right.
Rebellious hearts receive satisfaction from their ways;
the good receive the due reward for their deeds.
Evil people will bow down before the good;
wicked people are at the gates of the righteous.
he wicked are thrown down by their own evil,
but the righteous find refuge even in death.
Righteousness dignifies a nation,
but sin disgraces a people.
(Proverbs 14:11,14,19,32,34 CEB)

The Lord’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on evil and good people.
Great treasure is in the house of the righteous,
but the gain of the wicked brings trouble.
The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
but favors the prayers of those who do right.
The Lord detests the path of the wicked,
but loves those who pursue righteousness.
The Lord detests evil plans,
but gracious words are pure.
The righteous heart reflects before answering,
but the wicked mouth blurts out evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he listens to the prayers of the righteous.
(Proverbs 15:3,6,8-9,26,28-29 CEB)

The Lord made everything for a purpose,
even the wicked for an evil day.
The Lord detests all who are arrogant;
they surely won’t go unpunished.
Worthless people dig up trouble;
their lips are like a scorching fire.
Destructive people produce conflict;
gossips alienate close friends.
Violent people entice their neighbors
and walk them down a path that isn’t good.
Those who wink their eye plot destruction;
those who purse their lips plan evil.
(Proverbs 16:4-5,27-30 CEB)

An evildoer pays attention to guilty lips;
a liar listens to a destructive tongue.
Those who mock the poor insult their maker;
those who rejoice in disaster won’t go unpunished.
Evil people seek only rebellion;
a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
Evil will never depart from the house
of those who return evil for good.
Those with crooked hearts won’t prosper,
and those with twisted tongues will fall into trouble.
It isn’t good to punish the righteous,
to strike the honorable for their integrity.
(Proverbs 17:4-5,11,13,20,26 CEB)

"The Righteous vs The Evil, pt.1" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

My son, don’t let sinners entice you.
Don’t go
when they say:
“Come with us. ..."
My son, don’t go on the path with them;
keep your feet from their way,
because their feet run to evil;...
(Proverbs 1:10-16 CEB)

The Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He reserves ability for those with integrity.
He is a shield for those who live a blameless life.
He protects the paths of justice
and guards the way of those who are loyal to him.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
as well as integrity, every good course.
Wisdom will enter your mind,
and knowledge will fill you with delight.
Discretion will guard you;
understanding will protect you.
Wisdom will rescue you from the evil path,
from people who twist their words.
They forsake the way of integrity
and go on obscure paths.
They enjoy doing evil,
rejoicing in their twisted evil.
Their paths are confused;
they get lost on their way.
So you should stay on the path of good people,
guarding the road of the righteous.
Those who have integrity will dwell in the land;
the innocent will remain in it.
But the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the treacherous will be ripped up.
(Proverbs 2:6-15,20-21 CEB)

Don’t go on the way of the wicked;
don’t walk on the path of evil people.
Avoid it! Don’t turn onto it;
stay off of it and keep going!
They don’t sleep unless they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
They eat the bread of evil,
and they drink the wine of violence.
The way of the righteous is like morning light
that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day.
The path of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they don’t know where they will stumble.
(Proverbs 4:14-19 CEB)

The Lord’s eyes watch over every person’s path,
observing all their ways.
The wicked will be caught by their own evil acts,
grabbed by the ropes of their own sin.
Those without instruction will die,
misled by their own stupidity.
(Proverbs 5:21-23 CEB)

The treasure of the wicked won’t profit them,
but righteousness rescues people from death.
The Lord doesn’t let the righteous starve,
but he rejects the desires of the wicked.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The wages of the righteous lead to life;
the earnings of the wicked lead to sin.
What the wicked dread will come on them,
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.
After a whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
The expectations of the righteous result in joy,
but the hopes of the wicked will perish.
The path of the Lord is a refuge for the innocent
and ruin for those who do evil.
The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked won’t dwell in the land.
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
but the twisted tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the wise know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.
(Proverbs 10:2-3,11,16,24-25,28-32 CEB)

Riches don’t help in the day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.
The righteousness of the innocent makes their path straight,
but the wicked fall in their wickedness.
Those who do right are saved by their righteousness,
but the untrustworthy are caught by their own desires.
When the wicked die, their hope perishes.
Yes, any hope based on money perishes.
The righteous are saved from distress,
and the wicked take their place.
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words,
but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
When the righteous succeed, a city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
A city is honored by the blessing of the virtuous;
it is destroyed by the words of the wicked.
The wicked earn false wages,
but those who sow righteousness receive a true reward.
The righteous are headed toward life,
but those who pursue evil, toward death.
The Lord detests a crooked heart,
but he favors those whose path is innocent.
The evil person will surely not go unpunished,
but the children of the righteous will escape.
The desires of the righteous end up well,
but the expectations of the wicked bring wrath.
Those who look for good find favor,
but those who seek evil—it will come to them.
Those who trust in their wealth will wither,
but the righteous will thrive like leafy trees.
Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind.
The fool will be servant to the wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the wise gather lives.
If the righteous receive their due on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinners?
(Proverbs 11:4-11,18-21,23,27-31 CEB)

" The Wise vs The Fool" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

The way the wise live will bring them honor,
but the way fools live will bring them shame.
(Proverbs 3:35 ERV)

A wise son makes his father happy; 

a foolish one makes his mother sad.
(Proverbs 10:1 ERV)

Those who cause trouble for their families will inherit nothing but the wind.
A foolish person will end up as a servant to one who is wise.
(Proverbs 11:29 ERV)

Smart people don’t tell everything they know,
but fools tell everything and show they are fools.
(Proverbs 12:23 ERV)

Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise.
Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble.
(Proverbs 13:20 ERV)

A wise woman makes her home what it should be,
but the home of a foolish woman is destroyed by her own actions.

Wise people are careful and avoid trouble; 

fools are too confident and careless.

Fools are rewarded with more foolishness. 

Smart people are rewarded with knowledge.(Proverbs 14:1,16,18 ERV)

Listening to wise people increases your knowledge,
but only nonsense comes from the mouths of fools.
Fools refuse to listen to their father’s advice,
but those who accept discipline are smart.
Wise people say things that give you new knowledge,
but fools say nothing worth hearing.
Intelligent people want more knowledge,
but fools only want more nonsense.

Wise children make their parents happy. 

Foolish children bring them shame.

Doing foolish things makes a fool happy, 

but a wise person is careful to do what is right.

(Proverbs 15:2,5,7,14,20-21 ERV)

Good sense is a spring of fresh water to those who have it,
but fools can offer only foolishness.
(Proverbs 16:22 ERV)

Smart people learn more from a single correction
than fools learn from a hundred beatings.

Intelligent people think about what needs to be done here and now. 

Fools are always dreaming about faraway places.

Foolish children upset their parents and make them sad.

(Proverbs 17:10,24-25 ERV)

Wise people save the nice things they have.
Fools use up everything as soon as they get it.
(Proverbs 21:20 ERV)

It is foolish to be too confident.
Those who ask for advice are wise and will escape disaster.
(Proverbs 28:26 ERV)

"God's Commands" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

"My son, accept my words and store up my commands.
Turn your ear toward wisdom,
and stretch your mind toward understanding.
Call out for insight,
and cry aloud for understanding.
Seek it like silver;
search for it like hidden treasure.
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
and discover the knowledge of God."
(Proverbs 2:1-5 CEB)

"My son, don’t forget my instruction. Let your heart guard my commands,
because they will help you live a long time
and provide you with well-being."
(Proverbs 3:1-2 CEB)

Hear, children, fatherly instruction;
pay attention to gain understanding.
I’ll teach you well.
Don’t abandon my instruction.
When I was a son to my father,
tender and my mother’s favorite,
he taught me and said to me:
“Let your heart hold on to my words:
Keep my commands and live.
Get wisdom; get understanding.
Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words."
(Proverbs 4:1-5 CEB)

"My son, keep your father’s command;
don’t abandon your mother’s instruction.
Bind them on your heart for all time;
fasten them around your neck.
When you walk around, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will protect you;
when you awake, they will occupy your attention.
The commandment is a lamp and instruction a light;
corrective teaching is the path of life."
(Proverbs 6:20-23 CEB)

"My son, keep my words; store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and live,
and my instruction like the pupil of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister”;
call understanding “friend,”
so she might guard you..."
(Proverbs 7:1-5 CEB)

Trouble will come on those who despise a word,
but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person away from deathtraps.
(Proverbs 13:13-14 CEB)

Those who keep the commandment preserve their lives;
those who disregard their ways will die.
(Proverbs 19:16 CEB)

Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
Intelligent children follow Instruction,...
(Proverbs 28:4,7 CEB)

When there’s no vision, the people get out of control,
but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
(Proverbs 29:18 CEB)

All God’s words are tried and true;
a shield for those who take refuge in him.
Don’t add to his words,
or he will correct you and show you to be a liar.
(Proverbs 30:5-6 CEB)

"God's Ways vs Man's Ways" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Don’t envy violent people
or choose any of their ways.
Devious people are detestable to the Lord,
but the virtuous are his close friends.
(Proverbs 3:31-32 CEB)

Don’t go on the way of the wicked;

don’t walk on the path of evil people.
Avoid it! Don’t turn onto it;
stay off of it and keep going!
They don’t sleep unless they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
They eat the bread of evil,
and they drink the wine of violence.
The way of the righteous is like morning light
that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day.
The path of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they don’t know where they will stumble.
(Proverbs 4:14-19 CEB)

The Lord’s eyes watch over every person’s path,

observing all their ways.
The wicked will be caught by their own evil acts,
grabbed by the ropes of their own sin.
Those without instruction will die,
misled by their own stupidity.
(Proverbs 5:21-23 CEB)

The path of the Lord is a refuge for the innocent

and ruin for those who do evil.
(Proverbs 10:29 CEB)

The Lord detests the path of the wicked,

but loves those who pursue righteousness.
(Proverbs 15:9 CEB)

All the ways of people

are pure in their eyes,
but the Lord tests the motives.
When people draw favor from the Lord,
even their enemies are at peace with them.
People plan their path,
but the Lord secures their steps.
(Proverbs 16:2,7,9 CEB)

"Fear of God" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Proverbs 1:7 CEB)

Seek it like silver;
search for it like hidden treasure.
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
and discover the knowledge of God.
The Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
(Proverbs 2:4-6 CEB)

Don’t consider yourself wise.
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then your body will be healthy
and your bones strengthened.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the first of all [you have and receive].
Then your barns will be filled with plenty [access to resources], 

and your vats will burst with wine [have more than enough].
Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord, my son;
don’t despise his correction.
The Lord loves those he corrects,
just like a father who treats his son with favor.
(Proverbs 3:7-12 CEB)

To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate pride and arrogance,
the path of evil and corrupt speech.
I have advice and ability,
as well as understanding and strength.
I love those who love me;
those who seek me will find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
my crops are better than choice silver.
I walk on the way of righteousness,
on the paths of justice,
to provide for those who love me
and to fill up their treasuries.
(Proverbs 8:13-14,17-21 CEB)

Those who walk with integrity fear the Lord,
but those who take a crooked path despise him.
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence
and refuge for one’s children.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from deathtraps.
(Proverbs 14:2,26-27 CEB)

All the days of the needy are hard,
but a happy heart has a continual feast.
Better a little with fear of the Lord
than a great treasure with turmoil.
The ear that listens to life-giving correction
dwells among the wise.
Those who refuse discipline despise themselves,
but those who listen to correction gain understanding.
The fear of the Lord is wise instruction,
and humility comes before respect.
(Proverbs 15:15-16,31-33 CEB)

Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
but fear the Lord constantly;
then you will have a future,
and your hope won’t be cut off.
(Proverbs 23:17-18 CEB)

"Wisdom" (40 Days of Wisdom for Lent)

The proverbs of Solomon, King David’s son, from Israel:
Their purpose is to teach wisdom and discipline,
to help one understand wise sayings.
They provide insightful instruction,
which is righteous, just, and full of integrity.
They make the naive mature,
the young knowledgeable and discreet.
The wise hear them and grow in wisdom;
those with understanding gain guidance.
They help one understand proverbs and difficult sayings,
the words of the wise, and their puzzles.
Wisdom begins with the fear of theLord,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 
(Proverbs 1:1-7 CEB)

The Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

Wisdom will enter your mind,
and knowledge will fill you with delight.
Discretion will guard you;
understanding will protect you. 
(Proverbs 2:6,10-11 CEB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

don’t rely on your own intelligence.
Know him in all your paths,
and he will keep your ways straight.
Don’t consider yourself wise.
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Happy are those who find wisdom and 

those who gain understanding. 
(Proverbs 3:5-7,13 CEB)

The beginning of wisdom:

Get wisdom!
Get understanding before anything else. 
(Proverbs 4:7 CEB)

Doesn’t Wisdom cry out

and Understanding shout?
I have advice and ability,
as well as understanding and strength.
The Lord created me at the beginning of his way,
before his deeds long in the past.
I was formed in ancient times, 
at the beginning, before the earth was.

Now children, listen to me:
Happy are those who keep to my ways!
Listen to instruction, and be wise;
don’t avoid it.
Happy are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorposts.
Those who find me find life;
they gain favor from the Lord.
Those who offend me injure themselves; 

all those who hate me love death.
(Proverbs 8:1,14,22-23,32-36 CEB)

Teach the wise, and they will become wiser;

inform the righteous, and their learning will increase.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
the knowledge of the holy one is understanding. 
(Proverbs 9:9-10 CEB)

Religion vs. Christianity

An “Experience” vs. A “Relationship”

Religion is man seeking an experience with Deity.
Christianity is Deity pursuing a relationship with man!

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, … “I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these. My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me—the glorious unity of being one, as we are— I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one—so that the world will know you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want them with me—these you’ve given me—so that they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you so that the mighty love you have for me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:1,20-26 TLB)

Suggested reading: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/do-all-religions-lead-to-god/