WORDS AND WORKS

Passage: Proverbs 12:1-14

Key verse: 14

NIV

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.(A)

2 Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(B)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(C)

3 No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(D)

4 A wife of noble character(E) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(F)

5 The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(G)

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(H)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(I)

8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(J) mind is despised.

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(K)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(L)

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(M)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(N)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(O)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who (A)hates reproof is (B)stupid.
2 A good man (C)obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of (D)the righteous will never be moved.
4 (E)An excellent wife is (F)the crown of her husband,
    but she who (G)brings shame is like (H)rottenness in his bones.
5 (I)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked (J)lie in wait for blood,
    but (K)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 (L)The wicked are (M)overthrown and are no more,
    (N)but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is (O)despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (P)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (Q)Whoever works his land (R)will have plenty of bread,
    (S)but he who follows (T)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (U)the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (V)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
    (W)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (X)a man is satisfied with good,
    (Y)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

We are filled not just by what goes into our mouths but what comes out of our mouths and into our ears and dwells in our hearts. What we say can destroy or build up others, so we must be careful to use our words thoughtfully and meaningfully. A kind and encouraging word can refresh a weary or anxious soul. A wise word can help someone learn and grow in wisdom. Brutal honesty is sometimes just brutal and not helpful, but words of love, sprinkled with humility, can build up others.

Sometimes, we long for an easy reward, such as working less and getting paid more. But no reward comes from idle hands. As God is constantly working (Jn 5:17), we must work to build a rewarding and blessed life, family, and community. We need to rest but avoid being idle and complacent. The kingdom of God advances when we are the hands and feet of Christ to the world. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Mat 9:37). What work is God calling me to do today?

Prayer: Lord, you fill us with good things. May we use our words and hands to build others up rather than tearing down.

One Word: Speak and work for good