Proverbs 4:5 NKJV

Get wisdom, get understanding:
forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:5 KJV

 
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Proverbs 2:11 MSG

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Proverbs 2:11 KJV

 
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Proverbs 1:2 KJV

 

 
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Proverbs 17:28 CEV

 
Be Slow To Speak
JAMES 1:19 NIV
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
 
How many times have you said something and later regretted it? Too often we practice: Speak now and think later.
 
What would happen if you silently consulted with God before speaking? If you thought about, and prayed about, everything you said — before you said it — your life would be different.
 
1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.
 
Words are powerful and should be used to accomplish a purpose. Don’t just talk for no reason. Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.
 
Be slow to speak!
 
SAY THIS: God, please help me to control my tongue.
Dean Wall
 

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17:28 KJV

 
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Proverbs 25:2 NKJV

God has infinite wisdom of all things. He gloriously acts without revealing His purpose, seeking counsel, or exposing matters to public scrutiny. Kings are much different. Since they understand very little in comparison, they should act only after diligent examination and deliberate consideration. It would be folly for them to act in an arbitrary way, pretending to be wise as God. And all human rulers should follow their prudent example.

The world moves according to God’s secret will, of which we know little (Deut 29:29). He does not seek counsel or reveal these matters (Job 26:14; Rom 11:33), and there are many such things with Him (Job 23:14; Ps 139:17-18). Only by revelation of Scripture and passage of time do we learn this will. But we have been given His revealed will, the Word of God, by which we are to govern our lives and verify all decisions (Deut 29:29).

The LORD deals privately with men, in their souls, and only rarely exposes them to the judgment of others. He often afflicts men in their beds and chastens them in their thoughts (Job 33:14-33). He told Abimelech during the night not to touch Sarah (Gen 20:3), and He told Laban to be gentle with Jacob (Gen 31:24). David knew to use these private times with the Lord (Ps 4:4; 42:8; 63:6; 77:6; 119:147-148; 139:17-18).

He forgives us daily, of sins large and small, without exposing them to any. For this we should be very thankful, and we should also see…

His great glory in such gracious concealment. And when we have opportunity to overlook and conceal personal offences against ourselves, it is also our glory (17:9; 19:11). But it is our duty, with the authority He may have given us in a particular role, to search out matters and deal with them according to the wisdom of Scripture.A noble king must gather all the facts, call wise counselors, examine witnesses, review precedents, consider consequences, and deliberate before drawing a conclusion and making a judgment. Solomon did very wisely in dealing with the two harlots (I Kings 3:9-28). Ahasuerus did so regarding Vashti’s rebellion (Esther 1:12-21), but he failed in hastily approving Haman’s personal vendetta against the Jews (Esther 3:8-15).

God told Moses how authority should deal with hearsay (Deut 13:12-18). They should inquire about it, make search, and ask diligently. If their investigation showed the matter to be true and certain, then they were to execute the appropriate judgment. The same procedure was to be followed in matters of conflicting testimony (Deut 19:15-21). Job, the perfect and righteous man that he was, followed this godly procedure (Job 29:16).

Every authority should copy the noble king. Parents should search out matters regarding their children. Children do not have rights; they have responsibilities and privileges. If there is reason to be suspicious, or even if there is not, wise parents will make diligent inquisition and search to confirm or convict. A sin nipped in the bud, before it is a full grown poisonous plant, is much easier to correct for both parent and child.

The father who does not search out things, but hides his head in the sand, is no father worthy of the name. And He will be brought to painful shame (29:15,17). The father who believes all that he hears without careful investigation exalts simplicity (14:15). David foolishly let Adonijah go so far in rebellion without questioning him that it cost him his life (I Kgs 1:6; 2:10-25). Let every father reading this proverb be a noble inquisitor.

The purpose and wisdom of human rulers is to examine all matters carefully, in order to properly rule and protect their subjects. God never intended careless and/or overbearing rule when He ordained the five spheres of human authority. Rule was not given just for the pleasure of the one reigning, but also for the protection and perfection of those under the reign. Righteous Job even considered the contentions of his servants (Job 31:13-15).

It is this honorable aspect of Christian authority that every magistrate, master, father, husband, and pastor should also include in the discharge of their office. While the degree of service to those under authority varies from position to position, it is an important part of using your God-given authority in a holy way. For example, masters rule in employment situations for the profit of the company and themselves; but they are also bound to use that rule equitably and fairly (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1).

Our Lord Jesus operates at a level we cannot explain or even define. He divides between the joints and the marrow, and between the soul and the spirit (Heb 4:12-14). All things are naked and opened to Him, but He Himself dwells in a light that no man can approach unto (I Tim 6:16). He searches our reins and hearts (Rev 2:23). Rather than have Him discover our secret sins while trying to hide them, let us open our hearts before Him and beg Him to make merciful examination (Job 34:31-32; Ps 26:2; 139:23-24).
Jonathan Crosby

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Proverbs 25:2 KJV

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Proverbs 1:3 The Message MSG

Proverbs is the manual, instruction, and direction for living.

Proverbs teach wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Reading a chapter of Proverbs every day will change your life. After all you will be reading the manual for life. Every day we will focus on a verse from the chapter for that day. You can reveive the daily Proverbs verse by email, twitter, facebook, or on the aDailyProverb homepage.

Comment or post your thoughts or experiences as we work through The Book of Proverbs daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. If you already read a Proverbs chapter a day, let’s hit the reset button and start a new month. If this is going to be your first month reading a chapter a day, get ready for the changes The Lord is going to make in your life in just one short month!

Here are some other Bible versions of Proverbs 1:3

1. To receive instruction in wise dealing, ASV
2. for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; NIV
3. Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity, AMP
4. To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; NKJV
5. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. NLT
6. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;KJV
7. You will learn what is right and honest and fair. CEV

Proverbs 26:4 NIV

Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:5 NIV

 
In one verse, the Bible says, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself” (Proverbs 26:4).
 
In the very next verse we read, “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes” (Proverbs 26:5).
 
These two verses are often used to disprove the inspiration of the Bible. After all, it would appear to be a blatant contradiction. In one verse it says we should not answer a fool; the very next sentence tells us we should answer a fool. Which is it?
 
I’ve read a few different answers to this — many good thoughts. The best explanation I’ve found is that there is simply no winning with a fool. If you allow yourself to be drawn into an argument with a fool, you may be brought down to his level. Fools tend to use anger and rudeness in their arguments. They speak without thinking first. They have no humility and are not concerned with truth as much as they are concerned with vindication. To use such tactics is foolish, and arguing with a fool prompts me to respond in kind. I cannot afford to fall into the fool’s trap.
 
However, we are told in the next proverb to answer a fool in order to prevent him from thinking he is wise when he is not. A fool believes that your silence is an admission of defeat — thus confirming him in his folly. Unfortunately, when that happens, his behavior has been reinforced and others may follow suit.
 
The problem is when you try to correct a fool, he will not receive your correction. The writer goes on to say: “Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool” (v. 7). A fool does not know what to do with wisdom. It is no use giving it to him. The best thing may be to leave him to God, for only God can break through his folly.
 
There is something worse than a fool: a man who is certain of his own wisdom. “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (v. 12).
 
I want so badly to be wise, but I am too often a fool. God, keep me from being wise in my own eyes, and grant me the wisdom that only you can provide.
 
A proverb can do incredible good in the life of those who will learn the lesson. But a proverb in the mouth of a fool can do incredible damage. Proper use of proverbs requires self-awareness and discernment. As a general rule, I find that people who read a proverb and think, “This applies so well to someone else — in fact, I think I’ll share the wisdom of this proverb with them right now” — that tends to be a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
 
The best way to read the Proverbs — heck, the best way to read the whole Bible — is probably the one where you say, “God, I’m not concerned right now with what you want to say to anyone but me.”
John Alan Turner
 

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;

Proverbs 24:3 NIV

Building a house, or anything for that matter, without wisdom and understanding will lead to a broken home.

Psalms 127:1 drives home the point in greater detail…
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

As I think of the projects and other things in my life that I wanted to be successful and worked many hours to make sure it was, I’m reminded of the dead ends I would always run into. The funny thing is when I prayed for direction and listened to God I was not only on the right path but new opportunities grew that I never would have thought of.

The most recent example is this site. For those of you that have come to read a Daily Proverb everyday I sound like a broken record but I can’t share enough with each person that visits aDailyProverb.com, sends me an email, tweet, or direct message how much they have grown my faith. The last few months have been the most exciting and adventurous months that I have had in a long time. I can’t wait to see what God has planned next.

It is really hard to give up control and led God lead the way. We can do so much more through Jesus Christ than we can do on our own. Whether you want to move up in your job, create a new business, or get you home and family in order, the Bible says with faith we can move a mountain. We all can grow our faith. We all can build wonderful things but only with the wisdom of God will they be established.

Proverbs 24:26 NIV

 
Excellent speech, appropriate answers, and words of truth are wonderful things. Good men perceive and respect such wise use of language. They will love the man who answers matters well with sound lips. Here is a goal for prudent men – excellent speech.
 
The tongue and lips – the faculty of speech – are potent tools for good or evil. In many proverbs and elsewhere in the Bible, men are warned against misuse of the tongue and encouraged to wise use of it (10:19; 12:18; 15:4; 18:21; Jas 1:19; 3:2-10).
 
One of the most direct routes to wisdom and godliness is learning excellent speech. For speech is the quickest and clearest evidence of a fool (17:28; 18:7; Eccl 5:3). But good words and answers are as beautiful as fine art (10:20; 25:11).
 
A wise man by the noble use of his mouth can feed many (15:4,23; 10:21). And good men love those who speak well (12:14; 16:13; 22:11; Job 6:25). By the little context we have here, we see the emphasis on the beauty of judges giving right answers (24:23-25).
Excellent speech is not by accident. It is by diligent use of Solomon’s rules. Excellent speech requires preparation (15:28), hesitation (25:8), humiliation (26:12), limitation (17:27), discretion (26:4-5), certain words of truth (22:21), and graciousness (22:11).
 
Paul would say…,

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col 4:6). He understood the purpose and object of speech to be the gracious building up of the hearer (Eph 4:29).
Our Lord Jesus was the Master at giving right answers (Matt 22:46). We read with great pleasure how He handled conspiracies of the Jews to trap Him in His words, for He would confound them on the spot. When He spoke in general, the people were astonished (Matt 7:28-29). His enemies said, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46)!
 
He also blessed His disciples with wisdom and speech to confound their enemies, even without preparation (Luke 21:12-15)! The deacon Stephen brought the great hatred of the Jews on him for their inability to resist his wise speech by the Spirit of Christ (Acts 6:10).
 
It is your Christian duty to grow in the ability to teach and defend the truth of the gospel. Paul rebuked the Hebrew saints for their lack of progress toward teaching (Heb 5:12-14). And Peter exhorted his readers to be ready to give reasonable answers, not feelings, for their hope in Jesus Christ (I Pet 3:15). Dear reader, do you deserve kisses on the lips?
Jonathan Crosby
 

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Proverbs 24:26 KJV

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Proverbs 10:25 NIV

As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more : but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Proverbs 10:25 KJV

Proverbs 2:6 CEV

 

 
When I think of the dumbest things I have done in my life, in almost every situation just a bit of common sense would have made me avoid them. When we want to do something we will find justification to do it. I sometimes know what I am doing is stupid but I do it anyway because I want the short term satisfaction. I don’t pray about it because I know what God is going to tell me… Not to do it.
 
How many times have you heard someone say or have said yourself, “I knew it was wrong before I did it.” I always laugh at the cartoons that show a button that has DO NOT PUSH written on it. What happens next? The button is pressed. So why do we do stupid things when we know they are stupid before we do them?

 
I love this Proverb because there is no interpretation needed here. It’s very cut and dry. Common sense comes from the Lord not us and to make sure we understand the Proverb God tells us that not only does some common sense comes from him but all common sense.
 
God is telling us we can’t go through the day and always make the right choices if we don’t involve him. Communication with God is essential to gain wisdom and understanding. Trying to do everything on our own just doesn’t make sense.
Chris Riehl
 

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 KJV

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Proverbs 24:3 NIV

This is one of my favorite Proverbs. Now I admit that I have a habit of saying, that is one of my favorite Proverbs. With so many verses in Proverbs that I either relate it to something in my own life or someone from the community here, it is easy for me to accidentally water down my favorite list of Proverbs.

 
Proverbs 24:3 is one of the verses that God put on my heart as this site was being built. It’s one of the verses that are helping my wife and I understand what direction we are to go and what direction we are not to go.
 
The last two weeks have been filled with days I will not soon forget. I will go into more detail tomorrow about the challenges, problems, and difficulty we have had recently and the revelations they have led to.
 
One of the doors that has been opened for us will provide multiple Proverbs reading plans for each day in 2010 for free. Starting January 1st 2010, through Proverbs365.org, readers will be able to sign up for the Proverbs daily reading plans that they would like to receive by email every day. For example if you would like to read one chapter every day from Proverbs then there you will be able to sign up for an email program that will send you all the verses for Proverbs Chapter 1 on January 1st, Chapter 2 on the 2nd, and so on.
 
Besides the “typical” monthly Proverbs reading plan, Proverbs365 will also have daily email programs for multiple Bible versions, a Proverbs yearly, a Proverbs single verse, and a Proverbs for kids nightly reading available for sign up. You will be able to cancel at anytime, change your reading plan, or sign up for multiple email programs.
 
The services will not be available until January 1st but if you are interested in being on our beta testing team, to help us iron out any bugs in December, please send an email to proverbs365@adailyproverb.com
 

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

Proverbs 24:3 KJV