WEBVTT 00:00:00.919 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:09.300 in a year. Today's reading is from the book of 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.060 Proverbs, chapters 25 through 29. Chapter 25. 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:17.620 These also are Proverbs of Solomon, which the 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:20.719 men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied. It is 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:23.539 the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:26.739 glory of kings is to search out a matter. As 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:28.899 the heavens for height and the earth for depth, 00:00:29.260 --> 00:00:32.539 so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:35.140 the draws from silver, and it will go to the 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:37.799 silversmith for jewelry. Take away the wicked 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:40.020 from before the king, and his throne will be 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:43.060 established in righteousness. Do not exalt yourself 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:45.399 in the presence of the king, and do not stand 00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:48.340 in the place of the great. For it is better that 00:00:48.340 --> 00:00:51.420 he say to you, Come up here, than that you should 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:54.000 be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:57.149 your eyes have seen. Do not go hastily to court, 00:00:57.289 --> 00:01:00.009 for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor 00:01:00.009 --> 00:01:02.929 has put you to shame? Debate your case with your 00:01:02.929 --> 00:01:05.170 neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another, 00:01:05.409 --> 00:01:08.709 lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your 00:01:08.709 --> 00:01:12.390 reputation be ruined. A word fitly spoken is 00:01:12.390 --> 00:01:15.730 like apples of gold, in settings of silver, like 00:01:15.730 --> 00:01:18.689 an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold 00:01:18.689 --> 00:01:22.560 is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. Like the 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:25.359 cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:28.599 messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:31.799 the soul of his masters. Whoever falsely boasts 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:34.840 of giving is like clouds and wind without rain. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:38.439 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:41.560 a gentle tongue breaks a bone. Have you found 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:44.500 honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:47.540 be filled with it and vomit. Seldom set foot 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.819 in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:53.430 of you and hate you. A man who bears false witness 00:01:53.430 --> 00:01:56.510 against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, 00:01:56.689 --> 00:01:59.950 and a sharp arrow. Confidence is an unfaithful 00:01:59.950 --> 00:02:03.269 man in time of trouble, is like a bad tooth and 00:02:03.269 --> 00:02:06.129 a foot out of joint, like one who takes away 00:02:06.129 --> 00:02:08.569 a garment in cold weather and like vinegar on 00:02:08.569 --> 00:02:11.610 soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 00:02:12.050 --> 00:02:14.729 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, 00:02:14.849 --> 00:02:17.409 and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:20.360 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:22.979 and the Lord will reward you. The north wind 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:26.259 brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue and 00:02:26.259 --> 00:02:29.219 angry countenance. It is better to dwell in a 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:32.240 corner of a housetop than in a house shared with 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.620 a contentious woman. As cold water to a weary 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:39.560 soul so is good news from a far country. A righteous 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.800 man who falters before the wicked is like a murky 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.939 spring in a polluted well. It is not good to 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:49.360 eat much honey. So to seek one's own glory is 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:53.460 not glory. Whoever has no rule over his own spirit 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:58.819 is like a city broken down without walls. Chapter 00:02:58.819 --> 00:03:02.879 26 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:06.379 honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a flitting 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:09.419 sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:12.680 cause shall not alight. A whip for the horse, 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:15.520 a brittle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's 00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:18.840 back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:22.939 lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:26.460 to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:29.539 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:33.020 cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:36.039 the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:39.259 in the mouth of fools. Like one who binds a stone 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:42.960 in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool. Like 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:45.520 a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, 00:03:45.789 --> 00:03:48.729 is a proverb in the mouth of fools. The great 00:03:48.729 --> 00:03:51.729 God who formed everything gives the fool his 00:03:51.729 --> 00:03:55.270 hire and the transgressor his wages. As a dog 00:03:55.270 --> 00:03:58.509 returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his 00:03:58.509 --> 00:04:01.349 folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? 00:04:01.530 --> 00:04:05.270 There is more hope for a fool than for him. The 00:04:05.270 --> 00:04:08.270 lazy man says there is a lion in the road. A 00:04:08.270 --> 00:04:11.469 fierce lion is in the streets. As a door turns 00:04:11.469 --> 00:04:14.750 on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed. 00:04:15.289 --> 00:04:18.449 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl. It 00:04:18.449 --> 00:04:21.410 wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The 00:04:21.410 --> 00:04:24.129 lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven 00:04:24.129 --> 00:04:27.889 men who can answer sensibly. He who passes by 00:04:27.889 --> 00:04:31.009 and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like 00:04:31.009 --> 00:04:34.589 one who takes a dog by the ears. Like a madman 00:04:34.589 --> 00:04:37.670 who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the 00:04:37.670 --> 00:04:40.569 man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was 00:04:40.569 --> 00:04:43.810 only joking. Where there is no wood, the fire 00:04:43.810 --> 00:04:46.449 goes out, and where there is no tail -bearer, 00:04:46.470 --> 00:04:50.569 strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, 00:04:50.589 --> 00:04:53.610 and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to 00:04:53.610 --> 00:04:56.990 kindled strife. The words of a tail -bearer are 00:04:56.990 --> 00:04:59.910 like tasty trifles, and they go down into the 00:04:59.910 --> 00:05:03.029 inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart 00:05:03.029 --> 00:05:06.149 are like earthen ware covered with silver dross. 00:05:06.509 --> 00:05:09.709 He who hates disguises it with his lips, and 00:05:09.709 --> 00:05:12.370 lays up deceit within himself, When he speaks 00:05:12.370 --> 00:05:15.209 kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven 00:05:15.209 --> 00:05:18.149 abominations in his heart. Though his hatred 00:05:18.149 --> 00:05:20.870 is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be 00:05:20.870 --> 00:05:23.769 revealed before the assembly. Whoever digs a 00:05:23.769 --> 00:05:26.829 pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone 00:05:26.829 --> 00:05:30.110 will have it rolled back on him. A lying tongue 00:05:30.110 --> 00:05:33.329 hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering 00:05:33.329 --> 00:05:39.920 mouth works ruin. Do not boast about tomorrow, 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:42.959 for you do not know what a day may bring forth. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:45.819 Let another man praise you, and not your own 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:49.800 mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:52.600 is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's wrath 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:55.660 is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel, 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:58.759 and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:02.379 before jealousy? Open rebuke is better than love 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:05.379 carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:07.980 of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy... are 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:11.480 deceitful. A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:14.899 but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.620 Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:22.079 who wanders from his place. Ointment and perfume 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:24.600 delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:28.240 friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Do not 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:30.279 forsake your own friend or your father's friend, 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:32.740 nor go to your brother's house in the day of 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:35.500 your calamity. Better is a neighbor nearby than 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:38.939 a brother far away. My son, be wise, and make 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:41.959 your heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:45.459 me. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.740 The simple pass on and are punished. Take the 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:51.079 garment of him who is surety for a stranger, 00:06:51.220 --> 00:06:54.220 and hold it in pledge when he is surety for a 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:57.000 seductress. He who blesses his friend with a 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:59.860 loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:03.339 be counted a curse to him. A continual dripping 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:06.399 on a very rainy day, and a contentious woman, 00:07:06.750 --> 00:07:09.949 are alike. Whoever restrains her restrains the 00:07:09.949 --> 00:07:13.930 wind, and grasps oil with his right hand. As 00:07:13.930 --> 00:07:17.649 iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance 00:07:17.649 --> 00:07:20.329 of his friend. Whoever keeps the fig tree will 00:07:20.329 --> 00:07:23.290 eat its fruit, so he who waits on his master 00:07:23.290 --> 00:07:27.050 will be honored. As in water, face reflects face, 00:07:27.290 --> 00:07:30.750 so a man's heart reveals the man. Hell and destruction 00:07:30.750 --> 00:07:34.110 are never full, so the eyes of man are never 00:07:34.110 --> 00:07:37.740 satisfied. The refining pot is for silver and 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:41.000 a furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:44.480 others say of him. Though you grind a fool in 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:47.240 a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:49.699 yet his foolishness will not depart from him. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:52.759 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.839 and attend to your herds, for riches are not 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:58.959 forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:02.560 When the hay is removed and a tender grass shows 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:05.310 itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered 00:08:05.310 --> 00:08:08.470 in, the lambs will provide your clothing, and 00:08:08.470 --> 00:08:11.290 the goats the price of a field. You shall have 00:08:11.290 --> 00:08:13.870 enough goat's milk for your food, for the food 00:08:13.870 --> 00:08:16.370 of your household, and the nourishment of your 00:08:16.370 --> 00:08:21.449 maidservants. Chapter 28 The wicked flee when 00:08:21.449 --> 00:08:24.509 no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as 00:08:24.509 --> 00:08:27.290 a lion. Because of the transgression of a land, 00:08:27.430 --> 00:08:30.850 many are its princes, but by a man of understanding 00:08:30.850 --> 00:08:34.259 and knowledge, Right will be prolonged. A poor 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:36.720 man who oppresses the poor is like a driving 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:40.100 rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:42.960 the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:46.600 law contend with them. Evil men do not understand 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.320 justice, but those who seek the Lord understand 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:53.200 all. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:56.940 than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:09:00.779 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son. But 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:04.220 a companion of gluttons shames his father. One 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:07.179 who increases his possessions by usury and extortion 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:11.320 gathers it for him who will pity the poor. One 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.659 who turns away his ear from hearing the law, 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:17.220 even his prayer, is an abomination. Whoever causes 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.620 the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:23.539 will fall into his own pit, but the blameless 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:27.080 will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:29.580 own eyes, but the poor who has understanding 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:32.799 searches him out. When the righteous rejoice, 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:35.519 there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:39.559 men hide themselves. He who covers his sins will 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:42.600 not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:46.000 them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.759 always reverent, but he who hardens his heart 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:52.139 will fall into calamity. like a roaring lion 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:55.419 and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:58.840 people a ruler who lacks understanding is a great 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:01.600 oppressor but he who hates covetousness will 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:04.960 prolong his days a man burdened with bloodshed 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:08.820 will flee into a pit let no one help him whoever 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:11.960 walks blamelessly will be saved but he who is 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:15.519 perverse in his ways will suddenly fall he who 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:18.320 tills his land will have plenty of bread but 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:21.120 he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:24.559 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:27.220 he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:30.679 To show partiality is not good, because for a 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.799 piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:37.080 an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:40.399 consider that poverty will come upon him. He 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:43.419 who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:46.840 than he who flatters with the tongue. Whoever 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.700 robs his father or his mother and says it is 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:52.659 no transgression, the same is companion to a 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:56.679 destroyer. He who is of a proud heart stirs up 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:59.460 strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:02.419 prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:05.220 a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:08.620 He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:11.960 who hides his eyes will have many curses. When 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:14.740 the wicked arise, men hide themselves, but when 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:19.429 they perish, The righteous increase. Chapter 00:11:19.429 --> 00:11:23.610 29 He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck 00:11:23.610 --> 00:11:26.250 will suddenly be destroyed, and that without 00:11:26.250 --> 00:11:28.909 remedy. When the righteous are in authority, 00:11:29.230 --> 00:11:31.889 the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, 00:11:32.190 --> 00:11:35.649 the people groan. Whoever loves wisdom makes 00:11:35.649 --> 00:11:38.450 his father rejoice, but a companion of harlots 00:11:38.450 --> 00:11:41.889 wastes his wealth. The king establishes the land 00:11:41.889 --> 00:11:45.179 by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:48.080 it. A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:51.259 net for his feet. By transgression an evil man 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:54.860 is snared, but the righteous sings and rejoices. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.799 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, 00:11:57.919 --> 00:12:00.480 but the wicked does not understand such knowledge. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:04.740 Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:08.100 away wrath. If a wise man contends with a foolish 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:11.240 man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:14.570 is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, 00:12:14.669 --> 00:12:17.549 but the upright seek his well -being. A fool 00:12:17.549 --> 00:12:20.509 vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds 00:12:20.509 --> 00:12:23.669 them back. If a ruler pays attention to lies, 00:12:23.909 --> 00:12:27.049 all his servants become wicked. The poor man 00:12:27.049 --> 00:12:29.970 and the oppressor have this in common. The Lord 00:12:29.970 --> 00:12:33.289 gives light to the eyes of both. The king who 00:12:33.289 --> 00:12:35.929 judges the poor with truth, his throne will be 00:12:35.929 --> 00:12:39.490 established forever. The rod and rebuke give 00:12:39.490 --> 00:12:42.519 wisdom. but a child left to himself brings shame 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:45.279 to his mother. When the wicked are multiplied, 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:49.000 transgression increases, but the righteous will 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:52.120 see their fault. Correct your son, and he will 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:54.700 give you rest. Yes, he will give delight to your 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:57.440 soul. Where there is no revelation, the people 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:00.460 cast off restraint, but happy is he who keeps 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:03.600 the law. A servant will not be corrected by mere 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:06.279 words, for though he understands, he will not 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:09.340 respond. do you see a man hasty in his words 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:13.279 there is more hope for a fool than for him he 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:16.320 who pampers his servant from childhood will have 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:20.240 him as a son in the end an angry man stirs up 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.200 strife and a furious man abounds in transgression 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:26.799 a man's pride will bring him low but the humble 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:30.559 in spirit will retain honor whoever is a partner 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:33.899 with a thief hates his own life he swears to 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:37.500 tell the truth but reveals nothing The fear of 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:40.480 man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:43.740 Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:47.559 but justice for man comes from the Lord. An unjust 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:50.500 man is an abomination to the righteous, and he 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:53.940 who is upright in the way is an abomination to 00:13:53.940 --> 00:14:07.269 the wicked. God bless you and have a great day.