Proverbs 16:31 ESV Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A31&version=ESV] The terror of growing old is familiar to man. Gilgamesh dived deep in search of immortality, Alexander carved his name into cities, and Count of St. Germain simply told everybody he was. Nowadays, we can watch…
Proverbs 16:30 ESV Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A30&version=ESV] What’s the difference between paranoid and prudent? Should I cut off my friend for looking suspicious? Should I disregard how that stranger is hiding a dripping red knife behind his back as he approaches? When…
Proverbs 16:29 ESV A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A29&version=ESV] Violence is a convenient way to solve a problem. Somebody ticking you off? Punch the daylights out of him. Political rival being the absolute worst? Imprison him. Spouse being yappy when you’re tired?…
Proverbs 16:28 ESV A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A28&version=ESV] We all like to think that our relationships are ironclad, incapable of breaking down. We all know, when we’re not deliberately closing our eyes, that while our relationships may be strong, some of them nearly unbreakable, they only stay…
Proverbs 16:27 ESV A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A27&version=ESV] When dealing with a difficult relationship, we have two impulses: first, to cut them out as soon as possible and (try to) never look back; second, to hold on forever, thinking that perhaps one last interaction can…
Proverbs 16:26 ESV A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A26&version=ESV] Reality is reality. Sometimes that sucks. Sometimes that’s awesome. Sometimes, as here, we need to take a second and a third and even a fourth look before we understand both sides of the problem. This verse falls into the…
Proverbs 16:25 ESV There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A25&version=ESV] We’re experts at deciding the right way to go. Left, right, up, down, family, work, church, that politician, this politician, that book, this one, that medicine, this one. We develop plans, and…
Proverbs 16:24 ESV Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A24&version=ESV] Living life is a tiring proposition. At some point, be I who I may be, I will get worn down, tuckered out, even flat-out hurt. Bad things happen, we sin to our own harm, and…
Proverbs 16:23 ESV The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A23&version=ESV] Smooth-talking, silver-tongued, these are words we can easily give a negative connotation. We call it persuasion but it seems more like manipulation, and it’s hard to find the line where indeed charisma or persuasion becomes…
Proverbs 16:22 ESV Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A22&version=ESV] Good teachers are not a dime a dozen, unfortunately. In fact, on inspection, money seems to have irritatingly little to do with teaching quality; certainly the more expensive a university, the…