Proverbs

May 11 – Proverbs 22; Matthew 26

Proverbs 22:28

28Do not move an ancient boundary stone

set up by your ancestors.

Matthew 26:33

33Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

Matthew 26:69-70

69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Boundaries and gut feelings

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” (Proverbs 22:28, NIV)

I could have made some very different choices in my music career. I could’ve signed very lucrative record contracts. But I have set limits for myself, limits that you could simply call “gut feelings.”

These gut feelings didn’t just appear. They have developed through my personal relationship with Jesus, my daily communion with Him. Through this time spent together, I’ve come to know in my heart that He wants the best for me, so I’ve often turned down tempting offers because I felt a boundary inside.

Keeping boundaries isn’t always easy. Simon Peter had also set a boundary for himself: “Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.'” (Matthew 26:33, NIV) But when Jesus was on trial and Peter’s worst apprehensions became reality, he shifted his boundary and denied knowing Jesus. (see Matthew 26:69-70) How terrible. How disappointing. It must have torn Peter apart. Thankfully, he reset that boundary.

Have you consciously set limits for yourself? Especially in your areas of weakness, it is very important that you set boundaries before you’re in danger of crossing them.

Do you find it difficult not to complain when others speak negatively? Then decide ahead of time that when they do, you’ll get up and leave.

Perhaps you watch too many Netflix series and don’t get to bed early enough? Then set limits on your screen time.

Does it feel like love is waning in your marriage? Then remember your promise of “till death do us part,” and hold fast to that boundary.

Godly boundaries protect you from hurting yourself and others.

Yes, setting boundaries can be difficult! But through your personal relationship with Jesus, your communion with Him, it’s absolutely possible. 🙂 And do you know what? He wants to help you honor Him and yourself and keep those boundaries!

I encourage you to prayerfully ask the Lord today: which boundaries should you set, and which ones do you perhaps need to put back into place?

You are a miracle!

We would like to thank Jesus.net for providing this plan.

April 16 – Psalm 6; Proverbs 28; Jeremiah 31

Psalm 6

 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your wrath.

2Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

3My soul is in deep anguish.

How long, Lord, how long?

4Turn, Lord, and deliver me;

save me because of your unfailing love.

5Among the dead no one proclaims your name.

Who praises you from the grave?

6I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping

and drench my couch with tears.

7My eyes grow weak with sorrow;

they fail because of all my foes.

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Jeremiah 31:16-17

16This is what the Lord says:

“Restrain your voice from weeping

and your eyes from tears,

for your work will be rewarded,”

declares the Lord.

“They will return from the land of the enemy.

17So there is hope for your descendants,”

declares the Lord.

“Your children will return to their own land.

Jeremiah 31:31-33

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will make a new covenant

with the people of Israel

and with the people of Judah.

32It will not be like the covenant

I made with their ancestors

when I took them by the hand

to lead them out of Egypt,

because they broke my covenant,

though I was a husband to them,”

declares the Lord.

33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel

after that time,” declares the Lord.

“I will put my law in their minds

and write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

The Place Of Bitter Tears

The Lord makes the topic of bitter tears a significant emphasis in Scripture. Our passage today from Psalm 6 illustrates how David lamented his anguish before the Lord. Such honesty helped him to understand and overcome his bitter circumstances.

In God’s Word, we see that bitter tears can motivate us to find direction. The book of Esther tells the amazing story of a Jewish man named Mordecai and his cousin, Esther. Their joint heroism rescues God’s chosen people from certain annihilation. In the early chapters of the book, the chief antagonist, Haman, a high-ranking Persian official, convinces the king that all the Jews in his country should be executed. Scripture tells us, “When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly” (Esther 4:1).

Is that how a godly man behaves—and in public, no less? Apparently. Mordecai loves the Lord and his people too much to ignore the pain and heartache of this wicked abuse. Practicing spiritual candor, which may include shedding bitter tears, provides clarity and direction for what we should say and do next, even when the storm is raging.

Second, bitter tears can motivate us to admit wrong and prepare to move forward. Scripture tells us, “And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

This was the beginning of a turning point in Peter’s life and subsequent ministry. Peter’s bitter tears of remorse helped him face his weakness and sin in a way that prepared him for repentance, confession, and forgiveness.

Lastly, bitter tears can motivate us to remember that only our future will be fully satisfying (Jeremiah 31:16–17, 31-33). This passage helps us understand the value and purpose of bitter tears. Scripture motivates us to acknowledge the brokenness of our sin-cursed world and cause us to place our hope in the future the Lord has prepared for us.

The ultimate hope as we shed bitter tears is the salvation that comes through Christ’s death and resurrection, knowing “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

How can failing to shed bitter tears result in sinful bitterness of heart and life? 

We would like to thank Baker Publishing for providing this plan.

April 14 – Ephesians 4:31-32; Proverbs 4:23; Acts 8:20-24

Ephesians 4:31-32-

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Proverbs 4:23 –

Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

Acts 8:20-24 –

20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Bitterness Is Bigger Than We Think

As someone who has provided biblical counseling to people in the church and community for over thirty years, I’m used to seeing Scripture navigate our attention between the inner and outer person. As I researched this topic of bitterness, I was also surprised by the significant and powerful ways the Word of God discusses bitterness as a condition. In other words, it is not just a response, it is a reality.

This topic does not start with what you do. No one gets out of bed and decides, “Today I think I’ll start being bitter at no particular person for no particular reason.” Here is why that’s so important: God’s Word possesses a rich and robust theology of suffering to help us respond well to bitter circumstances. But if we simply run to verses like Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice”—and repeat it over and over, we will ignore great portions of Scripture that help us process pain and hurt and abuse and injustice well.

The purpose of our time is to help us overcome bitterness. We’ll look at three classifications of bitterness that form our framework. We will first learn to face the reality of bitterness. How can followers of Jesus Christ learn to suffer well so that our response to bitter circumstances takes us in directions that honor the Lord?

Then we will pivot to the sinful and personal responsibility side of the equation and find ways to avoid the pitfalls that lead to a bitter heart and life. In the final third of our time together, we will put our principles to the test by examining a delightful case study of a woman whose life was consumed with bitterness—to the point that she asked her friends to replace her given name with the word that described her best: bitter. The good news is, the story doesn’t end there. Not surprisingly, our Savior is visible in ways that will take your breath away.

Bitterness destroys people’s faith, health, family, and testimony. It is often the antithesis of spiritual growth and health. This is why the apostle Paul places bitterness alongside wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking in opposition to being kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving. (Ephesians 4:30-32). My hope is for us to discover how Scripture helps us to deal with bitterness thoroughly and completely and in a way that allows us to bask in the sweetness of our Savior.

What questions about bitterness do you hope to answer for yourself this week? Take a moment to write those down.

We would like to thank Baker Publishing for providing this plan.

January 31 – Proverbs 31

Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 30 – Proverbs 30

Sayings of Agur

30 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.

This man’s utterance to Ithiel:

“I am weary, God,
    but I can prevail.[a]
2 Surely I am only a brute, not a man;
    I do not have human understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
    Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
    Surely you know!

5 “Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.

10 “Do not slander a servant to their master,
    or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.

11 “There are those who curse their fathers
    and do not bless their mothers;
12 those who are pure in their own eyes
    and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty,
    whose glances are so disdainful;
14 those whose teeth are swords
    and whose jaws are set with knives
to devour the poor from the earth
    and the needy from among mankind.

15 “The leech has two daughters.
    ‘Give! Give!’ they cry.

“There are three things that are never satisfied,
    four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
16 the grave, the barren womb,
    land, which is never satisfied with water,
    and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’

17 “The eye that mocks a father,
    that scorns an aged mother,
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,
    will be eaten by the vultures.

18 “There are three things that are too amazing for me,
    four that I do not understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
    the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
    and the way of a man with a young woman.

20 “This is the way of an adulterous woman:
    She eats and wipes her mouth
    and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’

21 “Under three things the earth trembles,
    under four it cannot bear up:
22 a servant who becomes king,
    a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,
23 a contemptible woman who gets married,
    and a servant who displaces her mistress.

24 “Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

29 “There are three things that are stately in their stride,
    four that move with stately bearing:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts,
    who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat,
    and a king secure against revolt.[b]

32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
    or if you plan evil,
    clap your hand over your mouth!
33 For as churning cream produces butter,
    and as twisting the nose produces blood,
    so stirring up anger produces strife.”

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 29 – Proverbs 29

29 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
    when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

5 Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.

6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
    but the wicked have no such concern.

8 Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.

9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
    but the wise bring calm in the end.

12 If a ruler listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
    The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23 Pride brings a person low,
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 28 – Proverbs 28

28 The wicked flee though no one pursues,
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
    will seek refuge in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good—
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

24 Whoever robs their father or mother
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.

25 The greedy stir up conflict,
    but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 27 – Proverbs 27

27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

8 Like a bird that flees its nest
    is anyone who flees from home.

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.

19 As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]

20 Death and Destruction[b] are never satisfied,
    and neither are human eyes.

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
    but people are tested by their praise.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
    grinding them like grain with a pestle,
    you will not remove their folly from them.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
    give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 26 – Proverbs 26

26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so fools repeat their folly.
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,
    a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
    so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven people who answer discreetly.

17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
    is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

18 Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

20 Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?

January 25 – Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4 Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established through righteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
8     do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
    are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

What verse stands out today? What can I apply from what I’ve read today?