Bible Reading Plan – Day 141

₁Praise for a fool is out of place, like snow in summer or rain at harvest time.

₂Curses cannot hurt you unless you deserve them. They are like birds that fly by and never settle.

₃You have to whip a horse, you have to bridle a donkey, and you have to beat a fool.

₄If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

₅Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as clever as he thinks.

₆If you let a fool deliver a message, you might as well cut off your own feet; you are asking for trouble.

₇A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs.

₈Praising someone who is stupid makes as much sense as tying a stone in a sling.

₉A fool quoting a wise saying reminds you of a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand.

₁₀An employer who hires any fool that comes along is only hurting everybody concerned.

₁₁A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.

₁₂The most stupid fool is better off than someone who thinks he is wise when he is not.

₁₃Why don't lazy people ever get out of the house? What are they afraid of? Lions?

₁₄Lazy people turn over in bed. They get no farther than a door swinging on its hinges.

₁₅Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths.

₁₆A lazy person will think he is more intelligent than seven people who can give good reasons for their opinions.

₁₇Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears.

_18-19Someone who misleads someone else and then claims that he was only joking is like a mad person playing with a deadly weapon.

₂₀Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarrelling stops.

₂₁Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive.

₂₂Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!

₂₃Insincere talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze on a cheap clay pot.

₂₄A hypocrite hides hatred behind flattering words. ₂₅They may sound fine, but don't believe him, because his heart is filled to the brim with hate. ₂₆He may disguise his hatred, but everyone will see the evil things he does.

₂₇People who set traps for others get caught themselves. People who start landslides get crushed.

₂₈You have to hate someone to want to hurt him with lies. Insincere talk brings nothing but ruin.

₁Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then.

₂Let other people praise you — even strangers; never do it yourself.

₃The weight of stone and sand is nothing compared to the trouble that stupidity can cause.

₄Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy.

₅Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don't care for him at all.

₆Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts an arm round your shoulder — watch out!

₇When you are full, you will refuse honey, but when you are hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.

₈Anyone away from home is like a bird away from its nest.

₉Perfume and fragrant oils make you feel happier, but trouble shatters your peace of mind.

₁₀Do not forget your friends or your father's friends. If you are in trouble, don't ask a relative for help; a neighbour near by can help you more than relatives who are far away.

₁₁Be wise, my child, and I will be happy; I will have an answer for anyone who criticizes me.

₁₂Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.

₁₃Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger's debts deserves to have his own property held to guarantee payment.

₁₄You might as well curse your friends as wake them up early in the morning with a loud greeting.

₁₅A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip on a rainy day. ₁₆How can you keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to stop the wind or ever tried to hold a handful of oil?

₁₇People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.

₁₈Take care of a fig tree and you will have figs to eat. Servants who take care of their master will be honoured.

₁₉It is your own face that you see reflected in the water and it is your own self that you see in your heart.

₂₀Human desires are like the world of the dead — there is always room for more.

₂₁Fire tests gold and silver; a person's reputation can also be tested.

₂₂Even if you beat fools until they're half dead, you still can't beat their foolishness out of them.

₂₃Look after your sheep and cattle as carefully as you can, ₂₄because wealth is not permanent. Not even nations last for ever. ₂₅You cut the hay and then cut the grass on the hillsides while the next crop of hay is growing. ₂₆You can make clothes from the wool of your sheep and buy land with the money you get from selling some of your goats. ₂₇The rest of the goats will provide milk for you and your family, and for your servant women as well.

₁The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.

₂When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.

₃Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.

₄If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.

₅Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the LORD understand it well.

₆Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.

₇A young man who obeys the law is intelligent. One who makes friends with good-for-nothings is a disgrace to his father.

₈If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.

₉If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.

₁₀If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.

The innocent will be well rewarded.

₁₁Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.

₁₂When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.

₁₃You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

₁₄Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.

₁₅Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.

₁₆A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.

₁₇Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.

₁₈Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.

₁₉A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.

₂₀Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.

₂₁Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.

₂₂Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.

₂₃Correct someone, and afterwards he will appreciate it more than flattery.

₂₄Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.

₂₅Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.

₂₆It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.

₂₇Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.

₂₈People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.