Renew The Mind; Transform Your Life

Proverbs chapter 31 brings us instructions to Kings and Princes, and to the celebration of the finest woman - she whose worth is far above rubies. My soul delights that she is clearly an entrepreneur!

Proverbs 31 World English Bible (WEB)

The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.
“Oh, my son!
Oh, son of my womb!
Oh, son of my vows!
Don’t give your strength to women,
nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
lest they drink, and forget the law,
and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,
and wine to the bitter in soul.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Who can find a worthy woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships.
She brings her bread from afar.
She rises also while it is yet night,
gives food to her household,
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field, and buys it.
With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
She arms her waist with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing.
She laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Kind instruction is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!
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I love this mature concept of letting go of the unrealistic sense that we can control virtually anything!  "Don't boast about tomorrow," says Solomon, "for you don't know what a day may bring."
And, for those of you feeling low at the moment, that door swings two ways.  Yes, life can get rough in the space of 24 hours, but it can also suddenly turn around too!  Keep the faith!

Also the importance of getting testimonials from relative strangers to build social proof... and that's just the first few verses!  I do also love the idea of brightening up a friend's 'countenance'!  Let's wipe a smile onto someone's face today!

I like the idea of paying attention to our flocks too - or in YouTube terms - our subscribers.  Too many 'famous' Social Media gurus fail to pay attention to their followers!

Proverbs 27 World English Bible (WEB)

Don’t boast about tomorrow;
    for you don’t know what a day may bring.
Let another man praise you,
    and not your own mouth;
    a stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy,
    and sand is a burden;
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Wrath is cruel,
    and anger is overwhelming;
    but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
The wounds of a friend are faithful,
    although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
A full soul loathes a honeycomb;
    but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
As a bird that wanders from her nest,
    so is a man who wanders from his home.
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;
    so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend.
    Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
    A neighbour who is near is better than a distant brother.
Be wise, my son,
    and bring joy to my heart,
    then I can answer my tormentor.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge;
    but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger.
    Hold it for a wayward woman!
He who blesses his neighbour with a loud voice early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse by him.
A continual dropping on a rainy day
    and a contentious wife are alike:
restraining her is like restraining the wind,
    or like grasping oil in his right hand.
Iron sharpens iron;
    so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.
    He who looks after his master shall be honoured.
Like water reflects a face,
    so a man’s heart reflects the man.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
    and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
The crucible is for silver,
    and the furnace for gold;
    but man is refined by his praise.
Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
    yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
Know well the state of your flocks,
    and pay attention to your herds:
for riches are not forever,
    nor does the crown endure to all generations.
The hay is removed, and the new growth appears,
    the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
The lambs are for your clothing,
    and the goats are the price of a field.
There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food,
    for your family’s food,
    and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
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“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How the gate is narrow and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are who find it.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. Pray like this:

“‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Let your Kingdom come.
    Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
    as we also forgive our debtors.
Bring us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There's more...

Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Isaiah 57:15; 66:2
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they shall be comforted.Isaiah 61:2; 66:10,13
Blessed are the gentle,
    for they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:11
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

There's more!

Proverbs 26 World English Bible (WEB)

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
    so honour is not fitting for a fool.
Like a fluttering sparrow,
    like a darting swallow,
    so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
A whip is for the horse,
    a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools!
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
    is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As one who binds a stone in a sling,
    so is he who gives honour to a fool.
Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As an archer who wounds all,
    so is he who hires a fool
    or he who hires those who pass by.
As a dog that returns to his vomit,
    so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
    A fierce lion roams the streets!”
As the door turns on its hinges,
    so does the sluggard on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish.
    He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven men who answer with discretion.
Like one who grabs a dog’s ears
    is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
    is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”
For lack of wood a fire goes out.
    Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
As coals are to hot embers,
    and wood to fire,
    so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
    they go down into the innermost parts.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
    are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
    but he harbours evil in his heart.
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart.
His malice may be concealed by deception,
    but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
    Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Proverbs 25 World English Bible (WEB)

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
    but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver,
    and material comes out for the refiner;
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
    or claim a place among great men;
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.
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
    What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
Debate your case with your neighbour,
    and don’t betray the confidence of another,
    lest one who hears it put you to shame,
    and your bad reputation never depart.
A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
    so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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.
As clouds and wind without rain,
    so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
By patience a ruler is persuaded.
    A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Have you found honey?
    Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
    lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house,
    lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour
    is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
    or vinegar on soda,
    so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
    If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
    and Yahweh will reward you.
The north wind produces rain;
    so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
    than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
    so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls
    is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

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Don’t be envious of evil men,
    neither desire to be with them;
for their hearts plot violence
    and their lips talk about mischief.
Through wisdom a house is built;
    by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all rare and beautiful treasure.
A wise man has great power;
    and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
for by wise guidance you wage your war;
    and victory is in many advisors.
Wisdom is too high for a fool.
    He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
One who plots to do evil
    will be called a schemer.
The schemes of folly are sin.
    The mocker is detested by men.
If you falter in the time of trouble,
    your strength is small.
Rescue those who are being led away to death!
    Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
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?
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
    the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
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.
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous.
    Don’t destroy his resting place;
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again;
    but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.
    Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him,
    and he turn away his wrath from him.
Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers,
    neither be envious of the wicked;
for there will be no reward to the evil man.
    The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
My son, fear Yahweh and the king.
    Don’t join those who are rebellious;
for their calamity will rise suddenly.
    Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good.
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
    peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and a rich blessing will come on them.
An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.
Prepare your work outside,
    and get your fields ready.
    Afterwards, build your house.
Don’t be a witness against your neighbour without cause.
    Don’t deceive with your lips.
Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
    I will repay the man according to his work.”
I went by the field of the sluggard,
    by the vineyard of the man void of understanding:
Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
    Its surface was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw, and considered well.
    I saw, and received instruction:
a little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to sleep,
so your poverty will come as a robber
    and your want as an armed man.

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When you sit to eat with a ruler,
    consider diligently what is before you;
put a knife to your throat,
    if you are a man given to appetite.
Don’t be desirous of his dainties,
    since they are deceitful food.
Don’t weary yourself to be rich.
    In your wisdom, show restraint.
Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?
    For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye,
    and don’t crave his delicacies:
    for as he thinks about the cost, so he is.
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up,
    and lose your good words.

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
    for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone.
    Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
for their Defender is strong.
    He will plead their case against you.

Apply your heart to instruction,
    and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Don’t withhold correction from a child.
    If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod,
    and save his soul from Sheol.

My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad, even mine.
Yes, my heart will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.
Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
    but rather fear Yahweh all day long.
Indeed surely there is a future hope,
    and your hope will not be cut off.
Listen, my son, and be wise,
    and keep your heart on the right path!
Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine,
    or those who gorge themselves on meat:
for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;
    and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
    Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
The father of the righteous has great joy.
    Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad!
    Let her who bore you rejoice!
My son, give me your heart;
    and let your eyes keep in my ways.
For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
Yes, she lies in wait like a robber,
    and increases the unfaithful among men.

Who has woe?
    Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife?
    Who has complaints?
    Who has needless bruises?
    Who has bloodshot eyes?
Those who stay long at the wine;
    those who go to seek out mixed wine.
Don’t look at the wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly.
In the end, it bites like a snake,
    and poisons like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your mind will imagine confusing things.
Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea,
    or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
“They hit me, and I was not hurt!
    They beat me, and I don’t feel it!
    When will I wake up? I can do it again.
    I can find another.”

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The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses.
    He turns it wherever he desires.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
A high look and a proud heart,
    the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
    and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
    because they refuse to do what is right.
The way of the guilty is devious,
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
    than to share a house with a contentious woman.
The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
    When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
    and brings the wicked to ruin.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
    he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
A gift in secret pacifies anger,
    and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
    but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
    shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
    He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
    the treacherous for the upright.
It is better to dwell in a desert land,
    than with a contentious and fretful woman.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
    but a foolish man swallows it up.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness
    finds life, righteousness, and honour.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
    and brings down the strength of its confidence.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
    keeps his soul from troubles.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name—
    he works in the arrogance of pride.
The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labour.
There are those who covet greedily all day long;
    but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
    how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
A false witness will perish.
    A man who listens speaks to eternity.
A wicked man hardens his face;
    but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
There is no wisdom nor understanding
    nor counsel against Yahweh.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
    but victory is with Yahweh.

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