Today’s Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 22:17 through Proverbs 24:34

A one-sheet is a single page document which is designed to provide a summary of information about the expertise of a professional speaker to prospective clients.  If Solomon had a “One-Sheet” it would have possibly looked like this.  I’m sure he could have preached a sermon or developed a seminar on each of these topics; now that’s a speaking portfolio!

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Solomon’s Thirty Wise Sayings

Proverbs 22:17 – 24:22
Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.  For it is good to keep these sayings in your hearts and always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.  I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.  In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you:

1. Don’t rob the poor; don’t exploit the needy in court.
2. Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people.
3. Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.
4. Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.
5. Do you see any truly competent workers?  They will serve kings rather than work for ordinary people.
6. While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you.  If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you.
7. Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.  Be wise enough to know when to quit.
8. Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies.
9. Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.
10. Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.
11. Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.
12. Don’t fail to discipline your children.
13. My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
14. Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord.
15. My child, listen and be wise; keep your heart on the right course. Don’t carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons.
16. Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. Get the truth, and never sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. So give your father and mother joy!
17. My son, give me your heart; may your eyes take delight in following my ways. A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.
18. Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.  Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
19.  Don’t envy evil people or desire their company.
20. A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with sorts of precious riches and valuables.
21. The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.  So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.
22. Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
23. A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker.  The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker.
24. If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
25. Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “look, we didn’t know.”
26. My son, eat honey, for it is good and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.  In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.  If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
27. Don’t wait in ambush as the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live.
28. Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.
29. Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked.
30. My son, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly.

I know some of these sayings sound a little foolish, but if you read all of today’s scriptures Solomon explained the “why” of each one.  I could definitely see Solomon speaking at a mega church or leadership conference on one of these topics!

Would you travel to hear him speak?

We’re moving into Song of Songs, also known as Song of Solomon; we’ll pick up the rest of the Proverbs in a few days.  Can you believe we’re in our sixth month of this journey…amazing!

Blessings!

 ©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Song of Solomon 1:1 through Song of Solomon 8: 14