MY LIFE IS DIRECTED BY THE LORD
Key verse: 24
NIV
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(A)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(B)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(C)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(D)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(G)
24 A person’s steps are directed(H) by the Lord.(I)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(J)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(K)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(L)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(Q)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
Cross references
- Proverbs 20:18 : Pr 11:14; 24:6
- Proverbs 20:19 : Pr 11:13
- Proverbs 20:20 : Pr 30:11
- Proverbs 20:20 : Ex 21:17; S Job 18:5
- Proverbs 20:22 : Pr 24:29
- Proverbs 20:22 : Isa 37:20; Jer 1:19; 42:11; Ro 12:19
- Proverbs 20:23 : S ver 10; S Dt 25:13
- Proverbs 20:24 : S Ps 90:12
- Proverbs 20:24 : S Job 33:29
- Proverbs 20:24 : S Pr 19:21; Jer 10:23
- Proverbs 20:25 : S Pr 10:19; 18:13; Ecc 5:2, 4-5; Jer 44:25
- Proverbs 20:26 : S ver 8
- Proverbs 20:27 : S Ps 119:105
- Proverbs 20:27 : S Pr 16:2
- Proverbs 20:28 : Ps 40:11
- Proverbs 20:28 : S Pr 16:12; Isa 16:5
- Proverbs 20:29 : Pr 16:31
- Proverbs 20:30 : S Ps 51:2; Pr 22:15
- Proverbs 20:30 : Isa 1:5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
18 (A)Plans are established by counsel;
by (B)wise guidance (C)wage war.
19 Whoever (D)goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with (E)a simple babbler.[a]
20 (F)If one curses his father or his mother,
(G)his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21 (H)An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, (I)“I will repay evil”;
(J)wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
23 (K)Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,
and (L)false scales are not good.
24 A man's (M)steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only (N)after making vows.
26 A wise king (O)winnows the wicked
and drives (P)the wheel over them.
27 (Q)The spirit[b] of man is the lamp of the Lord,
(R)searching all (S)his innermost parts.
28 (T)Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his (U)throne is upheld.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
but (V)the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 (W)Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean (X)the innermost parts.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips
- Proverbs 20:27 Hebrew breath
Cross references
- Proverbs 20:18 : [ch. 11:14; 15:22]
- Proverbs 20:18 : ch. 24:6
- Proverbs 20:18 : Luke 14:31
- Proverbs 20:19 : ch. 11:13
- Proverbs 20:19 : ch. 13:3; [Rom. 16:18]
- Proverbs 20:20 : ch. 30:11, 17; See Ex. 21:17
- Proverbs 20:20 : See 2 Sam. 21:17; Job 18:5
- Proverbs 20:21 : See ch. 13:11
- Proverbs 20:22 : ch. 24:29; [ch. 17:13; Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17, 19; 1 Thess. 5:15; 1 Pet. 3:9]
- Proverbs 20:22 : Ps. 27:14
- Proverbs 20:23 : ver. 10
- Proverbs 20:23 : See ch. 11:1
- Proverbs 20:24 : See ch. 16:9
- Proverbs 20:25 : [Eccles. 5:4, 5]
- Proverbs 20:26 : [Matt. 3:12]
- Proverbs 20:26 : Isa. 28:27
- Proverbs 20:27 : [1 Cor. 2:11]
- Proverbs 20:27 : [Zeph. 1:12]
- Proverbs 20:27 : ch. 18:8
- Proverbs 20:28 : ch. 3:3
- Proverbs 20:28 : See ch. 16:12
- Proverbs 20:29 : ch. 16:31
- Proverbs 20:30 : [Isa. 53:5]
- Proverbs 20:30 : [See ver. 27 above]; ch. 18:8
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The end of Proverbs 20 leans towards having wisdom to live your life, knowing that God has directed your future (24). No one knows for certain what their future is. Five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years from now, the world and my life will be very different. Then what should I do?
First, a wise ruler. A wise leader is key to a stable community. A ruler should have discernment and be firm (26, 28, 30). There can be no tolerance for wickedness, and there must be consequences for wrongdoing. When leadership is wise, clear, and accountable, those underneath can flourish. When a battle arises, a leader needs to seek out good advice to plan a strategy (18). Relying on power and numbers is not enough. A ruler needs allies and loyalists who provide love and support (28).
Second, responsible members. We must avoid gossip, rebellion, greed, revenge, dishonesty, and rash promises, which break down a community. We need to guard our inner spirit to be strong and full of God’s light (27) Then, together, all members build a community that is healthy and secure no matter what changes arise in the future.
Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us wise rulers and community members. Help me to be personally responsible to do what is right and support leaders. Help us all to trust in God, who directs the future.
One Word: Wisdom to live my life, while trusting in God, who holds the future
