Proverbs in the Bible. One chapter for everyday -

Day 4 Proverbs 4 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 4:1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 4:2 for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law. 4:3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4:4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 4:5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 4:6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 4:7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 4:8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 4:9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." 4:10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 4:11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 4:12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. 4:14 Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men. 4:15 Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. 4:16 For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day. 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. 4:20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 4:21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. 4:24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. 4:26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. 4:27 Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

Day 3 Proverbs 3 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 3:1 My son, don't forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: 3:2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you. 3:3 Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 3:4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 3:7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 3:8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones. 3:9 Honor the Lord with your substance, with the firstfruits of all your increase: 3:10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 3:11 My son, don't despise the Lord’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof: 3:12 for whom the Lord loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. 3:14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 3:15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. 3:19 By wisdom God founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. 3:20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew. 3:21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 3:22 so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck. 3:23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 3:25 Don't be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 3:26 for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken. 3:27 Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 3:28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you. 3:29 Don't devise evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you. 3:30 Don't strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. 3:31 Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. 3:32 For the perverse is an abomination to the Lord, but his friendship is with the upright. 3:33 The Lord’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 3:34 Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble. 3:35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

Day 2 Proverbs 2 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 2:1 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; 2:2 So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 2:3 Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 2:4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 2:7 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity; 2:8 that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. 2:10 For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 2:11 Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, 2:12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things; 2:13 who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 2:14 who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil; 2:15 who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths: 2:16 To deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreigner who flatters with her words; 2:17 who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God: 2:18 for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead. 2:19 None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life: 2:20 that you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 2:21 For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it. 2:22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Day 1 Proverbs 1 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: 1:2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; 1:3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 1:4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: 1:5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: 1:6 to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. 1:8 My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: 1:9 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. 1:11 If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 1:12 let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. 1:13 We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil. 1:14 You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse." 1:15 My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, 1:16 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. 1:17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: 1:18 but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. 1:19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. 1:20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. 1:21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? 1:23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. 1:24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; 1:25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; 1:26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; 1:27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. 1:28 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; 1:29 because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of the Lord. 1:30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. 1:31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. 1:32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."

Day 31 Proverbs 31 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 31:2 "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! 31:3 Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' 31:5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." 31:10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. 31:14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. 31:16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 31:17 She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 31:23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 31:29 "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all." 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Day 30 Proverbs 30 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: 30:2 "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding. 30:3 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know? 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 30:6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar. 30:7 "Two things I have asked of you; don't deny me before I die: 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; 30:9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. 30:10 "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. 30:11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother. 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. 30:13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. 30:15 "The leech has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough:' 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.' 30:17 "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it. 30:18 "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand: 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden. 30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.' 30:21 "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up: 30:22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food; 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. 30:24 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 30:25 the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer. 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. 30:28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. 30:29 "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going: 30:30 The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any; 30:31 the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up. 30:32 "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth. 30:33 For as the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife."

Day 27 Proverbs 27 27:1 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth. 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 27:3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet. 27:8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home. 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend. 27:10 Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother. 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor. 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. 27:13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman! 27:14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him. 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: 27:16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand. 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance. 27:18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored. 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied. 27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise. 27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him. 27:23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds: 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations. 27:25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in. 27:26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field. 27:27 There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Day 25 Proverbs 25 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner; 25:5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 25:6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; 25:7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. 25:8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? 25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another; 25:10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart. 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear. 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively. 25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone. 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it. 25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you. 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. 25:19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot. 25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: 25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman. 25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 25:26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. 25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Day 24 Proverbs 24 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 24:1 Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors. 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate. 24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 24:12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 24:14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. 24:15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place: 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 24:17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 24:18 lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked: 24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 24:21 My son, fear the Lord and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious: 24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows? 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him-- 24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. 24:28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips. 24:29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." 24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; 24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

Day 28 Proverbs 28 28:1 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge. 28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them. 28:5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. 28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor. 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. 28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good. 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him. 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people. 28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days. 28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him. 28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly. 28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 28:21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him. 28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue. 28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer. 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the Lord will prosper. 28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe. 28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses. 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.