In The Word
Read: Proverbs 26:13-27:27
13 A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!
A lion is in the public square!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a lazy one on his bed.
15 A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16 A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a maniac who shoots
Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking?”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
27 One who digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Warnings and Instructions
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
7 A satisfied person despises honey,
But to a hungry person any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest,
So is a person who wanders from his home.
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
And a person’s advice is sweet to his friend.
10 Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
So that I may reply to one who taunts me.
12 A prudent person sees evil and hides himself;
But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.
13 Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger;
And for a foreign woman seize a pledge from him.
14 One who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be considered a curse to him.
15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So one person sharpens another.
18 One who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And one who cares for his master will be honored.
19 As in water a face reflects the face,
So the heart of a person reflects the person.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of a person ever satisfied.
21 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Though you pound the fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
His foolishness still will not leave him.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26 The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
27 And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your attendants.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
God’s Word extensively addresses the importance of the words we speak. Today’s reading pinpoints a person who talks about other people, who the Bible calls a gossip, whisperer, talebearer, and slanderer. God treats the words we speak and listen to very seriously. Jesus said our words reveal the true condition of our heart, “The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34). God makes it clear that He is grieved by gossip, slander, and negative talk. God declares, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). Our world is consumed with talking about other people, but Christians are to be very different from the world.
Listening to gossip is like eating a delicacy that is reserved for a special group of people; and, like food, gossip becomes part of the body because the information is retained (Proverbs 26:22). The destructive power of gossip is likened to a wasting disease, “Avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene” (2 Timothy 2:16-17). Gossip creates contention, strife, and hard feelings that separates friends and destroys relationships. The Bible is clear, “Do not associate with a gossip” (Proverbs 20:19).
When the opportunity for gossip and negative talk arises, close your mouth and ears to avoid sin. Through love, compassion, and patience, keep a pure heart towards people and use your words to pray for them.