Proverbs 13:10-17
10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.
The proud only stir up conflict and reap adversity; the wise seek to be well advised with godly counsel from His word and faithful ambassadors of the truth (2 Corinthians 5:20). Dishonest gain is the unwise rule of the unfaithful whose pride images they are entitled to everything they can take from others by any means, a most unwise path to take without the knowledge of retribution or accountability. Those who are wise bring truth and live truthfully, working with their own hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11) for gain, never at another’s expense or labor. Yes, the hope which the wise possess can sometimes seem to weight down the heart to the point of feeling sick in anticipation, but hope realizes that the desire will be fulfilled in the prearranged time. That hope brings life, eternal for the believers as we realize the desire of nations is returning to make that hope an eternal reality at the end of time (Romans 5:1, 5, Hebrews 6:18-19, 1 Peter 1:13). But those whose pride causes them to despise God’s word will suffer destruction of hope and an eternity of suffering. In contrast, the righteous who fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13) will be crowned with rewards (1 Corinthians 9:25, James 1:12, 1 Corinthians 3:8) as ones who served their Lord and Master well. His word is the fountain of eternal life which guides us to the path away from the snares of prideful ignorance of the knowledge and wisdom of God’s word and will. Good understanding therefore gains good favor for our sanctification as God works in us. If we are wise and understanding, we will act on that knowledge given us and not foolishly as the unwise. As faithful ambassadors of the truth for understanding and wisdom, we avoid the troubles of the evil and unwise who are messengers of pride. May we run the race set before us in knowledge and wisdom according to His word. Amen.
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