微读圣经

Deep Water in the Heart

1Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome—

a staggering drunk is not much fun.

2Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs—

cross them and they bite your head off.

3It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels,

but fools love to pick fights.

4A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring

has nothing to harvest in the fall.

5Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;

a wise person draws from the well within.

6Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,

but where on earth can you find one?

7God-loyal people, living honest lives,

make it much easier for their children.

8-9Leaders who know their business and care

keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,

For who among us can be trusted

to be always diligent and honest?

10Switching price tags and padding the expense account

are two things God hates.

11Young people eventually reveal by their actions

if their motives are on the up and up.

Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge

12Ears that hear and eyes that see—

we get our basic equipment from God!

13Don’t be too fond of sleep; you’ll end up in the poorhouse.

Wake up and get up; then there’ll be food on the table.

14The shopper says, “That’s junk—I’ll take it off your hands,”

then goes off boasting of the bargain.

15Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge

is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

16Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;

beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

17Stolen bread tastes sweet,

but soon your mouth is full of gravel.

18Form your purpose by asking for counsel,

then carry it out using all the help you can get.

19Gossips can’t keep secrets,

so never confide in blabbermouths.

20Anyone who curses father and mother

extinguishes light and exists benighted.

The Very Steps We Take

21A bonanza at the beginning

is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

22Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!”

Wait for God; he’ll settle the score.

23 God hates cheating in the marketplace;

rigged scales are an outrage.

24The very steps we take come from God;

otherwise how would we know where we’re going?

25An impulsive vow is a trap;

later you’ll wish you could get out of it.

26After careful scrutiny, a wise leader

makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

27 God is in charge of human life,

watching and examining us inside and out.

28Love and truth form a good leader;

sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

29Youth may be admired for vigor,

but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

30A good thrashing purges evil;

punishment goes deep within us.