Intro — Living with Discipline
Today’s Reading — Wisdom Brings Peace and Justice
Scripture:
Proverbs 29
1 If you keep being stubborn after many warnings, you will suddenly discover you have gone too far.
2 When justice rules a nation, everyone is glad; when injustice rules, everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom, your parents will be proud, but chasing prostitutes will cost you everything.
4 A nation will be strong if it has honest leaders, but dishonest leaders will only hurt it.
5 Flattery is nothing less than setting a trap.
6 By their sins, wicked people are trapped, but the righteous escape from trouble.
7 Good people care about justice for the poor, but the wicked are blind to their needs.
8 Sneering at others is a spark that sets a city on fire; using good sense can put out the flames.
9 If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
10 Murderers hate honest people, but good people stand up for the innocent.
11 Don’t be a fool and quickly lose your temper—be sensible and patient.
12 A ruler who listens to lies will have corrupt officials.
13 The poor and the dishonest have this in common: the Lord made them both.
14 If a king is fair to the poor, he will rule a long time.
15 Correct your children, and they will be wise; children out of control disgrace their mothers.
16 Crime increases when crooks are in power, but law‑abiding citizens will see them fall.
17 If you correct your children, they will bring you peace and happiness.
18 Without guidance from God, law and order disappear, but God blesses everyone who obeys his Law.
19 Even if servants are smart, it takes more than words to make them obey.
20 There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21 If you let a servant have his own way from childhood, he will be a disgrace in the end.
22 A person with a quick temper stirs up arguments and commits a lot of sins.
23 Too much pride brings disgrace; humility leads to honor.
24 A thief’s partner is just as bad as the thief.
25 Don’t be afraid of people—God can protect you.
26 Justice comes from the Lord; leaders have no power over it.
27 Crooks hate everyone who lives right; good people hate crooks.
Reflection:
Discipline shapes character and brings peace. Where might God be inviting you to slow down, listen, and walk wisely?