Intro – The Lord Sees Everything
Today’s Reading — A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath.
Scripture:
1 A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.
2 Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness.
3 The Lord sees everything, whether good or bad.
4 Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt.
5 Don’t be a fool and disobey your parents. Be smart! Accept correction.
6 Good people become wealthy, but those who are evil will lose what they have.
7 Words of wisdom make good sense; the thoughts of a fool make no sense at all.
8 The Lord is disgusted by gifts from the wicked, but it makes him happy
when his people pray.
9 The Lord is disgusted with all who do wrong, but he loves everyone
who does right.
10 If you turn from the right way, you will be punished; if you refuse correction,
you will die.
11 If the Lord can see everything in the world of the dead, he can see in our hearts.
12 Those who sneer at others don’t like to be corrected, and they won’t ask help
from someone with sense.
13 Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. 14 Anyone with good sense
is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness.
15 The poor have a hard life, but being content is as good as an endless feast.
16 It’s better to obey the Lord and have only a little, than to be very rich
and terribly anxious.
17 A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred.
18 Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.
19 A lazy person refuses to clear a thorny path, but everyone who does right
walks on a smooth road.
20 Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children
despise them.
21 Stupidity brings happiness to senseless fools, but everyone with good sense
follows the straight path.
22 Without good advice everything goes wrong—it takes careful planning
for things to go right.
23 Giving the right answer at the right time makes everyone happy.
24 All who are wise follow a road that leads upward to life and away from death.
25 The Lord destroys the homes of those who are proud, but he protects the property
of widows.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts, but kind words please him.
27 Being greedy causes trouble for your family, but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28 Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
29 The Lord never even hears the prayers of the wicked, but he answers the prayers
of all who obey him.
30 A friendly smile makes you happy, and good news makes you feel strong.
31 Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, you will be wise.
32 You hurt only yourself by rejecting instruction, but it makes good sense
to accept it.
33 Showing respect to the Lord will make you wise, and being humble
will bring honor to you.
Reflection:
Where can gentleness change the tone of your day?