Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
Proverbs 16-20
16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
The Message
16:1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
God doesn’t micromanage, we have freedom to make plans. And yet God is still Sovereign. His purposes are not thwarted.
16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
The Message
16:1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
God doesn’t micromanage, we have freedom to make plans. And yet God is still Sovereign. His purposes are not thwarted.
17:4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Why do people list to lies? It suits them, they let themselves be deceived.
17:4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Why do people list to lies? It suits them, they let themselves be deceived.
18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Unfriendly people think only of themselves and unnecessarily start arguments. “Unfriendliness and unreasonableness are inseparable” (Constable).
18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Unfriendly people think only of themselves and unnecessarily start arguments. “Unfriendliness and unreasonableness are inseparable” (Constable).
19: 11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
“Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].” AMP
It makes sense to overlook an offense, rather that waste emotional energy on something that can’t be reversed.
19: 11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
“Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].” AMP
It makes sense to overlook an offense, rather that waste emotional energy on something that can’t be reversed.
20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
(From Constable’s Commentary) “The proverb encourages us to hold people to their obligations.” It’s okay to make people accountable.
20:16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
(From Constable’s Commentary) “The proverb encourages us to hold people to their obligations.” It’s okay to make people accountable.