Should we become close friends with evil people who encourage violence and trouble?
Don’t envy evil people, and don’t long to be with them. Their hearts are focused on violence, and their lips speak of trouble. (Pr 24:1-2 CEB)
Does it take wisdom and good sense to turn a house into a home filled with family treasures?
Use wisdom and understanding to establish your home; let good sense fill the rooms with priceless treasures. (Pr 24:3-4 CEV)
How is a wise man stronger than a warrior and how can he claim victory?
A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Pr 24:5-6 ESV)
Is wisdom too high for a fool to even open his mouth in a city council meeting?
Wisdom is inaccessible to a fool; he does not open his mouth at the gate. (Pr 24:7 HCSB)
What reputation does someone have who plans evil and mocks people?
The person who plans on doing evil will be called a schemer [troublemaker]. Making foolish plans is sinful. And making fun of others is hateful. (Pr 24:8-9 ISV)
If we give up in troubled times, or fail to rescue those in danger of death, will we pay for our actions?
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? (Pr 24:10-12 KJV)
Is wisdom sweet like honey, but with a future hope attached to it?
Eat honey, my son, for it is good, Indeed, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. (Pr 24:13-14 LSB)
Why are the wicked warned not to rob a righteous person? Who does God let fall and who rises again?
Do not lie in ambush, you wicked person, against the home of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster. (Pr 24:15-16 NASB)
When an enemy meets disaster, should we rejoice or not? Why?
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. (Pr 24:17-18 NIV)
News organizations make money causing us to fret because of evildoers, but what should we focus upon? Do we have faith in the real truth, that the wicked have no future?
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. (Pr 24:19-20 NKJV)
Though a human government may be led by scoundrels, should we rebel? What can happen to those who do? Did Jesus rebel against Caesar?
My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king? (Pr 24:21-22 NLT)
Wise Sayings
Let’s look at a small collection of more wise sayings finishing out Proverbs 24. Though we should not rebel against a bad king, should we go to the opposite extreme and call a bad king righteous? Instead, should we condemn sin?
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. (Pr 24:23-25 WEB)
How important is honesty in business, politics and personal life? If people learn to trust our word, is it like a kiss to our neighbors instead of a stab in the back that a lie is?
Those who speak honestly are like those who kiss on the lips. (Pr 24:26 CEB)
Which comes first in life, establishing our career, our business, building our barn or starting a family?
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home. (Pr 24:27 CEV)
Is it foolish to be a false witness seeking vengeance for past wrongs?
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” (Pr 24:28-29 ESV)
What can we learn by looking at the lifestyle consequences of a lazy person?
I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense. Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. (Pr 24:30-34 HCSB)
Upon what foundation does the truly wise man build?
Therefore, everyone who listens to these messages of mine [Jesus] and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. (Mat 7:24 ISV)
Upon what foundation are we building? You decide!
Let’s look at a small collection of more wise sayings finishing out Proverbs 24. Though we should not rebel against a bad king, should we go to the opposite extreme and call a bad king righteous? Instead, should we condemn sin?
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. (Pr 24:23-25 WEB)
How important is honesty in business, politics and personal life? If people learn to trust our word, is it like a kiss to our neighbors instead of a stab in the back that a lie is?
Those who speak honestly are like those who kiss on the lips. (Pr 24:26 CEB)
Which comes first in life, establishing our career, our business, building our barn or starting a family?
Get your fields ready and plant your crops before starting a home. (Pr 24:27 CEV)
Is it foolish to be a false witness seeking vengeance for past wrongs?
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” (Pr 24:28-29 ESV)
What can we learn by looking at the lifestyle consequences of a lazy person?
I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense. Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. (Pr 24:30-34 HCSB)
Upon what foundation does the truly wise man build?
Therefore, everyone who listens to these messages of mine [Jesus] and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. (Mat 7:24 ISV)
Upon what foundation are we building? You decide!
