Proverbs in 31 Days

After meeting Amy of Mom’s Toolbox at a Houston blogger meet-up, I was delighted to see she was just starting to go through the Proverbs in 31 Days starting in November.  I quickly jumped at the opportunity to be a little more disciplined about my bible study and meditation time, plus I’ve always loved the Proverbs. I followed her SOAP method and grabbed a brand new devotional journal to start writing down my daily verses and prayers.

I own several bibles, but dug out my oldest one that I received probably when I was in junior high school from my church.  The covers are tattered & torn from many years of use.  There are all sorts of bookmarks & mini-devotionals stuck between the pages, which are filled with years of highlighting, markings & notes.

I thought I’d share the verse from each chapter of Proverbs that I picked out each day.  When I have time, I try to read back through this list & work on committing a few to memory, especially some of the ones I have underlined & bolded below.

Proverbs 1:33 – But who ever listens to me will have security.  He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.

Proverbs 2:9 – If you listen to me, you will know what is right, just and fair.  You will know what you should do.

Proverbs 3:7 – Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

Proverbs 4:23 – Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Proverbs 5: 21 – The Lord sees everything you do.  Wherever you go, He is watching.

Proverbs 6:23 - For sound advice is a beacon, good teaching is a light, moral discipline is a life path. (MSG)

I used this Bible as my primary one for the month, but have 2 other Bibles I use frequently- a Message translation that I love & a parallel bible for studying.

Proverbs 7:3 – Keep my teaching with you all the time; write it on your heart.

Proverbs  8:17 – I love those who love me; whoever looks for me can find me.

Proverbs 9:10 – To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord.  If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

Proverbs 10:12 – Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.

Proverbs 11: 12 – It is foolish to speak scornfully of others.  If you are smart, you will keep quiet.

Proverbs 12:18 – Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

Proverbs 13:12 – When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy.

Proverbs 14:20 – Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own.  No one can share them with you.

Proverbs 15: 29 – When good people pray, the Lord listens, but he ignores those who are evil.

Proverbs 16:1 – We may make our own plans, but God has the last word.

Proverbs 17:22 – Being cheerful keeps you healthy.  It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.

Proverbs 18: 21 – You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.

Proverbs 19:17 – When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and he will pay you back.

Proverbs 20:30 – Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

The proverbs were especially beautiful & poignantly translated in the Message version.  I love that my Dad & Brenda gave me this Bible over 7 years ago for my birthday & the wonderful message that my dad inscribed on the inside- even if I did manage to lose the original cover.   I enjoy reading this translation of the Bible when I want to see old verses with a new twist or a little more modern wording to some of the verses.

Proverbs 21:2 – You may think that everything you do is right, but remember the Lord judges your motives.

Proverbs 22:15 – Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through though-minded discipline. (MSG)

Proverbs 23:7 – Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.

Proverbs 24:17 – No matter how often an honest man falls down, he always gets up again; but disaster destroys the wicked.

Finally, I have a monster parallel bible which shows 4 different translations of scripture side by side for comparison.  When teaching Sunday school classes or doing in-depth studying, I find this Bible most helpful to learn how verses can be translated with various meanings and words.

Proverbs 25:15 – Patience persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down defenses. (MSG)

Proverbs 27:19 – Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart. (MSG)

Proverbs 28:13 – You can’t whitewash your sings and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them. (MSG)

Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of human opinions disables; trusting God protects you from that. (MSG)

Proverbs 30:5 – God keeps every promise he makes.  He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.

Proverbs 31:8 – Speak up for the people who cannot speak for themselves.  Protect the rights of all who are helpless.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: I can’t believe December is here and this year is almost over!