Today’s Reading: Proverbs 10-13
In the next four chapters of Proverbs, we see a contrast between those who choose godliness and those who choose wickedness — those whose life reflects the heart of God versus those who live for their own selfish desires. When we allow God to come in and transform us into the person He created us to be, our life looks different from those who chase after all this world has to offer them.
The Lord will not let the godly go hungry,
but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. – Proverbs 10:3
People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
but a bold reproof promotes peace.
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. – Proverbs 10:9-11
The words of the godly are like sterling silver;
the heart of a fool is worthless.
The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. – Proverbs 10:20-21
When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation. – Proverbs 10:25
The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice,
but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
The lips of the godly speak helpful words,
but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. – Proverbs 10:31-32
The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.
The godly are rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous. – Proverbs 11:5-9
Godly people find life; evil people find death.
The Lord detests people with crooked hearts,
but he delights in those with integrity.
Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free. – Proverbs 11:19-21
The godly can look forward to a reward,
while the wicked can expect only judgment.
Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:23-25
Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others. – Proverbs 12:12-15
The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death. – Proverbs 12:28
The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
Godliness guards the path of the blameless,
but the evil are misled by sin. – Proverbs 12:5-6
The life of the godly is full of light and joy,
but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. – Proverbs 13:9
Trouble chases sinners,
while blessings reward the righteous. – Proverbs 13:21
This is yet another reminder from the Lord that we have a choice to make between life and death, between godliness and wickedness. There is no in between — no middle ground. We are either living for God or we are not. What choice will we make? Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we could live in freedom from our sinful nature and be filled with the Spirit, but this is a gift we must choose to receive.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20