Proverbs in the Bible. One chapter for everyday -

Day 7 Proverbs 7 7:1 My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 7:2 Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 7:3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 7:4 Tell wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding your relative, 7:5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 7:6 For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7:7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 7:8 passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, 7:9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. 7:10 Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent. 7:11 She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house. 7:12 Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. 7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: 7:14 "Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. This day I have paid my vows. 7:15 Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. 7:16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 7:18 Come, let's take our fill of loving until the morning. Let's solace ourselves with loving. 7:19 For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey. 7:20 He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon." 7:21 With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. 7:22 He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose. 7:23 Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn't know that it will cost his life. 7:24 Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. 7:25 Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths, 7:26 for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. 7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Day 6 Proverbs 6 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 6:1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger; 6:2 You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, seeing you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 6:4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 6:5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 6:7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 6:8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 6:9 How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 6:11 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. 6:12 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth; 6:13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers; 6:14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 6:15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 6:16 There are six things which the Lord hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood; 6:18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 6:19 a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. 6:20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and don't forsake your mother's teaching. 6:21 Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. 6:22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you. 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 6:24 to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife's tongue. 6:25 Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. 6:26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. 6:27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned? 6:28 Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? 6:29 So is he who goes into his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. 6:30 Men don't despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry: 6:31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. 6:32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. 6:33 He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. 6:34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance. 6:35 He won't regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

Day 5 Proverbs 5 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding: 5:2 that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. 5:3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, 5:4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5:5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. 5:6 She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it. 5:7 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don't depart from the words of my mouth. 5:8 Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house, 5:9 lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; 5:10 lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man's house. 5:11 You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed, 5:12 and say, "How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 5:13 neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me! 5:14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin, in the midst of the gathered assembly." 5:15 Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well. 5:16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? 5:17 Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. 5:18 Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer-- let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. 5:20 For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord. He examines all his paths. 5:22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. 5:23 He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

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 29 Proverbs 29 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 29:4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down. 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 29:6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad. 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge. 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. 29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control. 29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked. 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 29:14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever. 29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 29:16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed. 29:19 A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond. 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 29:21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end. 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. 29:25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the Lord is kept safe. 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from the Lord. 29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

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.

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 26 Proverbs 26 http://89days.net/podcasts/ Voice talent by Don Bratschie 26:1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! 26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 26:6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. 26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 26:8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. 26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. 26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!" 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. 26:18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, 26:19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?" 26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. 26:23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. 26:25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26:26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 26:27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.