GIVE THOUGHT TO YOUR STEPS

Passage: Proverbs 14:1-17

Key verse: 15

NIV

14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(E)

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)

7 Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(H)

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(O)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(Q)
    but a fool(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(S) does foolish things,(T)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(U)

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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

14 (A)The wisest of women (B)builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands (C)tears it down.
2 Whoever (D)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is (E)devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes (F)a rod for his back,[a]
    (G)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 (H)A faithful witness does not lie,
    but (I)a false witness breathes out lies.
6 (J)A scoffer seeks wisdom (K)in vain,
    but (L)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 (M)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.[b]
10 The heart knows its own (N)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (O)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (P)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but (Q)its end is the way to death.[c]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and (R)the end of joy may be (S)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (T)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and (U)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (V)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (W)One who is wise is cautious[d] and (X)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (Y)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
  2. Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
  3. Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
  4. Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Knowledge and supposed wisdom are more abundant and accessible in the modern world than ever before. The latest technologies have made finding advice on almost any matter at any time and at anywhere possible. The amount of information is overwhelming in our world - but how can we know what is correct? How can we find true wisdom?

We start with humbly fearing the LORD (2,16,1:7, 3:5) and observing the fruit of wise people (1,3b,7). A mocker cannot find wisdom because of pride (6a). We also need discernment (6b) so that we do not live as the simpletons (15a) and those who follow worldly consensus do. For example, seeking riches and comfort seems to be common wisdom as we live our lives in the world, but in the end, it will lead to death (12, Lk 9:24-25).

Instead of living by worldly consensus or reacting to every advice or information that we receive, Proverbs encourages us to give thought to our ways (8a). We ought to carefully, and deliberately, give thought to the steps we are taking (15). When we give thought to our ways based on God’s word and pray to God, he will give us the wisdom we need (Ja 1:5). Are the steps you are taking in life leading you toward a deeper relationship with God and others in love?

Prayer: Father, please give us discernment as we give thought to our steps and live with your wisdom.

One Word: Be thoughtful and pray