Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:20-28
(Continued)
v20 A woman has sex with a man who is not her husband.
She acts as if she has only eaten.
Innocently, she says, ‘I did nothing wrong.’
v21 There are 3 things that upset everyone.
4 things disturb everything.
These things are:
• v22 a slave who becomes the king;
• a greedy fool;
• v23 a hateful woman who marries;
• a servant girl who takes the place of the master’s wife.
v24 There are 4 types of animals that are very small.
But they are also very wise.
These animals are:
• v25 ants, which are tiny insects. But they store food during the summer.
• v26 conies, which are small animals. But they make their home between rocks.
• v27 locusts, which are insects. They have no leader. But they advance like an army.
• v28 lizards, which are small animals. You can easily catch lizards in your hand. But lizards can even live in kings’ palaces.
Comment:
Verse 20 - Agur heard what this woman said. But Agur knew what she had done. She thought that it did not matter. But God also knew and he will punish this woman.
People often act as if their evil deeds are innocent. Often they even manage to confuse their own minds. Their behavior was evil. But they may actually think that they are innocent. God knows the truth about what we have done.
Verses 21-23 Each person in this list has suddenly become powerful. But they lack the skills that they need for their new situations. They may become proud. Their characters do not match their new situations. These events may disturb us. We do not expect such events to happen.
• The slave does not know how to lead anyone. He has obeyed other people’s instructions for his whole life. But now he is the king, and he must lead the entire nation.
• The fool is an evil man. He does not deserve a good meal. But this fool eats plenty. And he is still greedy. He has no sense. He is proud. He does not know when he should stop.
• A hateful woman has just married a man. But after she marries, she is still hateful. Her attitudes are wrong. She is a bad wife for her husband. And she will be a poor mother to her children.
• The master’s original wife deserves her husband’s love. But he does not care about her. This is very sad. We soon discover why her husband does not love her. The woman’s own servant girl has become the master’s new wife. The husband chooses his servant girl, instead of his wife. This is terrible. The two women will hate each other. (Compare Genesis 16:1-6.)
Verses 24-28 - Here are 4 types of animals. Each is both small and wise. So we can learn a lesson about wisdom from these animals.
• Ants store food for the winter. And we should prepare for the future, too. See Proverbs 6:6-8. • Conies are weak animals. But they still have a home. They live together in small groups. And they appoint one animal as a guard to watch for the large birds that may attack the conies. We should look after our homes too. We need homes where we can bring up our families in safety.
• Locusts march like an army but without a commander. Locusts work together. And we too should work with other people. See Hebrews 10:25.
• Lizards are clever. They can even avoid the guards and live in palaces. And we need to be clever, too. See Matthew 10:16.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
The words of Agur - Proverbs 30:15-19
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:15-19
(Continued)
v15 A leech (animal) has a double tongue that constantly demands blood.
There are 3 things that you can never satisfy.
4 things will never say, ‘I have enough.’
These things are:
• v16 hell;
• a woman who has no children;
• the soil; (The soil always wants rain.)
• fire. (Fire always tries to burn more things.)
v17 If a son insults his parents, he deserves to die.
His dead body does not deserve a proper grave.
Vultures and ravens (birds) will eat his body.
v18 There are 3 wonderful things.
There are 4 things that I cannot explain.
These things are:
• v19 an eagle (bird) that moves in the sky;
• a snake that moves on a rock;
• a ship that moves on the sea;
• and a man with a woman.
Comment:
Verses 15-16 - A leech is a small animal that drinks blood. The leech bites a person. Then the leech holds that person’s skin. Then the leech drinks the person’s blood. The person cannot remove the leech while the leech drinks blood.
Some people behave like leeches. These people are always causing trouble. They desire many things. So they try to obtain other people’s possessions. And, like the leeches, such people make constant demands.
Agur used several lists in this chapter. The numbers at the start of each list are a type of poetry. These numbers are not important.
This is a list of things that make constant demands, like the leech:
• Hell is never full. This is because hell is always claiming more lives. We must tell people about God. If they invite God into their lives, God will protect them from hell’s punishment.
• A woman who has no children always wants children. This is sad. But perhaps she can adopt a child. And perhaps she would like to help with children’s activities at church. She has no children, but she can love other people’s children. And we can encourage her.
• The soil always needs more rain. Solomon lived in a dry country. Without rain, there would be no harvest.
• Fire always tries to burn more things. You must control fire carefully. Otherwise, it will burn your possessions and your home.
Verse 17 - See also verse 11. Agur again warns that we must respect our parents. The behavior of a son who insults his parents is terrible. Agur describes a terrible fate for that son. The son did not respect his parents. And nobody will respect the son, even after his death. Nobody will care enough even to bury his body. This fate would upset everybody in Israel. They thought that proper graves were very important.
Verses 18-19 - Agur did not know how these things move. They move smoothly in places where it is difficult to move. And these things leave no trace as they move. So Agur considered that they were great mysteries.
• He did not know how a bird flies through the air.
• He did not know how a snake could move without legs on a smooth rock.
• He did not know how a ship sails on the sea.
• And he did not know how a man loves a woman. This is not like the other things in this list. But love between a man and a woman is also a strange mystery.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:15-19
(Continued)
v15 A leech (animal) has a double tongue that constantly demands blood.
There are 3 things that you can never satisfy.
4 things will never say, ‘I have enough.’
These things are:
• v16 hell;
• a woman who has no children;
• the soil; (The soil always wants rain.)
• fire. (Fire always tries to burn more things.)
v17 If a son insults his parents, he deserves to die.
His dead body does not deserve a proper grave.
Vultures and ravens (birds) will eat his body.
v18 There are 3 wonderful things.
There are 4 things that I cannot explain.
These things are:
• v19 an eagle (bird) that moves in the sky;
• a snake that moves on a rock;
• a ship that moves on the sea;
• and a man with a woman.
Comment:
Verses 15-16 - A leech is a small animal that drinks blood. The leech bites a person. Then the leech holds that person’s skin. Then the leech drinks the person’s blood. The person cannot remove the leech while the leech drinks blood.
Some people behave like leeches. These people are always causing trouble. They desire many things. So they try to obtain other people’s possessions. And, like the leeches, such people make constant demands.
Agur used several lists in this chapter. The numbers at the start of each list are a type of poetry. These numbers are not important.
This is a list of things that make constant demands, like the leech:
• Hell is never full. This is because hell is always claiming more lives. We must tell people about God. If they invite God into their lives, God will protect them from hell’s punishment.
• A woman who has no children always wants children. This is sad. But perhaps she can adopt a child. And perhaps she would like to help with children’s activities at church. She has no children, but she can love other people’s children. And we can encourage her.
• The soil always needs more rain. Solomon lived in a dry country. Without rain, there would be no harvest.
• Fire always tries to burn more things. You must control fire carefully. Otherwise, it will burn your possessions and your home.
Verse 17 - See also verse 11. Agur again warns that we must respect our parents. The behavior of a son who insults his parents is terrible. Agur describes a terrible fate for that son. The son did not respect his parents. And nobody will respect the son, even after his death. Nobody will care enough even to bury his body. This fate would upset everybody in Israel. They thought that proper graves were very important.
Verses 18-19 - Agur did not know how these things move. They move smoothly in places where it is difficult to move. And these things leave no trace as they move. So Agur considered that they were great mysteries.
• He did not know how a bird flies through the air.
• He did not know how a snake could move without legs on a smooth rock.
• He did not know how a ship sails on the sea.
• And he did not know how a man loves a woman. This is not like the other things in this list. But love between a man and a woman is also a strange mystery.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Friday, December 29, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 30:7-14
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:7-14
(Continued)
v7 Oh, God, I pray for two things.
Do not refuse me! I shall soon die.
v8 Protect me from all lies!
Do not make me rich or poor!
Give me today’s bread, only!
v9 Otherwise, I might become rich. Then I would forget you. I would say, ‘There is no God.’
Or I might become poor. Then I might steal. And I might fail to respect God.
v10 When you speak to a master, do not insult his servant!
When the master insults you, then you will suffer.
v11 Some people insult their fathers.
And they do not bless their mothers.
v12 Some people think that they themselves are innocent.
But they are guilty.
v13 Some people are proud.
They think that other people are hopeless.
v14 And some people, with their swords and knives, are like animals that attack.
They want to kill poor people.
They want to kill weak people.
God punishes all evil behavior.
Comment:
Verses 7-9 - Agur had a special prayer. But it was a strange prayer.
Agur had a particular reason why he did not want to become rich. He thought that he would forget God. But money does not cause people to forget God. Many rich people serve God. And they use their money wisely. They are generous and they help poor people.
There was also a particular reason why Agur did not want to become poor. He thought that he might steal. But if someone is poor, this does not cause him to steal. Many poor people serve God, and they do not steal. These people need many things, but they are still honest. And there are many rich people who are evil. Some rich people even steal from poor people.
Whether you are rich or poor, you should still serve God.
Verse 10 - This is sensible advice. But perhaps Agur was afraid. Agur did not mention that you could apologize. And Agur did not mention that the servant might forgive you. Agur also explained his fears in verses 11-14.
Another translation of the second line is: ‘When the servant insults you, then you will suffer.’
Verse 11 - These people do not respect their parents. See Deuteronomy 5:16 and Deuteronomy 27:16.
Verse 12 - Everyone has done evil things. We all must ask God to forgive us. See Romans 3:9-12.
Verse 13 - God opposes proud people. We should be humble. See James 4:6.
Verse 14 - These people are murderers. See Deuteronomy 5:17.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:7-14
(Continued)
v7 Oh, God, I pray for two things.
Do not refuse me! I shall soon die.
v8 Protect me from all lies!
Do not make me rich or poor!
Give me today’s bread, only!
v9 Otherwise, I might become rich. Then I would forget you. I would say, ‘There is no God.’
Or I might become poor. Then I might steal. And I might fail to respect God.
v10 When you speak to a master, do not insult his servant!
When the master insults you, then you will suffer.
v11 Some people insult their fathers.
And they do not bless their mothers.
v12 Some people think that they themselves are innocent.
But they are guilty.
v13 Some people are proud.
They think that other people are hopeless.
v14 And some people, with their swords and knives, are like animals that attack.
They want to kill poor people.
They want to kill weak people.
God punishes all evil behavior.
Comment:
Verses 7-9 - Agur had a special prayer. But it was a strange prayer.
Agur had a particular reason why he did not want to become rich. He thought that he would forget God. But money does not cause people to forget God. Many rich people serve God. And they use their money wisely. They are generous and they help poor people.
There was also a particular reason why Agur did not want to become poor. He thought that he might steal. But if someone is poor, this does not cause him to steal. Many poor people serve God, and they do not steal. These people need many things, but they are still honest. And there are many rich people who are evil. Some rich people even steal from poor people.
Whether you are rich or poor, you should still serve God.
Verse 10 - This is sensible advice. But perhaps Agur was afraid. Agur did not mention that you could apologize. And Agur did not mention that the servant might forgive you. Agur also explained his fears in verses 11-14.
Another translation of the second line is: ‘When the servant insults you, then you will suffer.’
Verse 11 - These people do not respect their parents. See Deuteronomy 5:16 and Deuteronomy 27:16.
Verse 12 - Everyone has done evil things. We all must ask God to forgive us. See Romans 3:9-12.
Verse 13 - God opposes proud people. We should be humble. See James 4:6.
Verse 14 - These people are murderers. See Deuteronomy 5:17.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 30:1-6
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1-6
v1 These are the words of Agur (son of Jakeh). Agur said:
God, I am tired. Oh God, I am tired and weak.
v2 I am so stupid! I do not even know the things that a man should know.
v3 I have not studied wisdom. I know nothing about God.
v4 Perhaps someone went up to heaven. And perhaps he came down to earth.
Perhaps he controls the winds, as if the winds are in his hands. Perhaps he controls the seas, as if the seas are in his coat. Perhaps he even established the north and the south.
But I do not know him, I do not know his name, nor his son’s name. Tell me, if you know him.
v5 God’s words are always perfect. He protects everyone that trusts him.
v6 Do not change what God has said. He will correct you. And he will prove that you are lying.
Comment:
The Puzzles of Agur and Lemuel - (Proverbs 30:1 to Proverbs 31:9)
These passages are by Agur (Proverbs 30) and King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9). We do not know anything about these men. The Bible does not mention them elsewhere. But we learn some things about them from these passages. And we learn many things about wisdom from their words.
Solomon was not the only teacher of wisdom. The Bible mentions other wise men who lived at the same time as him (1 Kings 4:30-31). Many people studied wisdom at this time.
Verses 1-3 - Agur had been studying hard. He had seen many wonderful things that he could not explain. He had tried to understand God. And he had tried to understand the world. But God is so great (1 Corinthians 1:25). And the world is too difficult to explain (Job 38). Now Agur was tired (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
In verses 2 and 3, Agur was using irony. That is, he was using words in a special way. He was not really a stupid man who knew nothing. In fact, he knew many things about God (verse 4). But his own knowledge seemed like nothing when he thought about God. Wisdom is so wonderful that Agur’s own thoughts seemed foolish. And the world is so complex that Agur felt stupid.
Verse 4 - Agur wanted someone to teach him. He so wanted to learn about God. Agur’s ideas in this verse are like God’s questions in Job 38.
Agur knew that somebody must have created the world. But he did not realize that God created the world.
Agur knew that somebody must control the wind and the seas. But he did not realize that God controls these things.
Verse 4 is an important verse. The verse shows that God guided the Bible writers (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Verse 4 is about Jesus, who is God’s son. But Agur knew nothing about Jesus. Agur lived over 1000 years before Jesus was born. Nobody knew about Jesus then. But Agur mentioned subjects that nobody knew before Jesus.
The people of Agur’s time did not know that Jesus is God’s son. They did not even think that God had a son. (See John 10:30-36.) But Agur wanted to know about God’s son. And Jesus is God’s son (John 3:16).
The people of Agur’s time believed that God was in heaven. They did not think that God would come to earth. But Agur thought that God would come to earth. And Jesus came to earth to save us (Philippians 2:5-8).
Agur knew few things (verse 2). But God guided Agur, so that Agur wrote great words in the Bible.
Verses 5-6 - Agur wanted someone to teach him. But Agur already knew some things. He knew that God’s word is perfect. And Agur was right. The Bible is perfect.
Agur also knew that we must teach the Bible accurately. This is also right.
Agur knew that God will punish our evil actions. This is also right. But Agur did not explain some important principles. He did not say that God loves us. He did not say that God wants to forgive us. Agur was afraid of God, because he did not know about God’s love.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1-6
v1 These are the words of Agur (son of Jakeh). Agur said:
God, I am tired. Oh God, I am tired and weak.
v2 I am so stupid! I do not even know the things that a man should know.
v3 I have not studied wisdom. I know nothing about God.
v4 Perhaps someone went up to heaven. And perhaps he came down to earth.
Perhaps he controls the winds, as if the winds are in his hands. Perhaps he controls the seas, as if the seas are in his coat. Perhaps he even established the north and the south.
But I do not know him, I do not know his name, nor his son’s name. Tell me, if you know him.
v5 God’s words are always perfect. He protects everyone that trusts him.
v6 Do not change what God has said. He will correct you. And he will prove that you are lying.
Comment:
The Puzzles of Agur and Lemuel - (Proverbs 30:1 to Proverbs 31:9)
These passages are by Agur (Proverbs 30) and King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9). We do not know anything about these men. The Bible does not mention them elsewhere. But we learn some things about them from these passages. And we learn many things about wisdom from their words.
Solomon was not the only teacher of wisdom. The Bible mentions other wise men who lived at the same time as him (1 Kings 4:30-31). Many people studied wisdom at this time.
Verses 1-3 - Agur had been studying hard. He had seen many wonderful things that he could not explain. He had tried to understand God. And he had tried to understand the world. But God is so great (1 Corinthians 1:25). And the world is too difficult to explain (Job 38). Now Agur was tired (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
In verses 2 and 3, Agur was using irony. That is, he was using words in a special way. He was not really a stupid man who knew nothing. In fact, he knew many things about God (verse 4). But his own knowledge seemed like nothing when he thought about God. Wisdom is so wonderful that Agur’s own thoughts seemed foolish. And the world is so complex that Agur felt stupid.
Verse 4 - Agur wanted someone to teach him. He so wanted to learn about God. Agur’s ideas in this verse are like God’s questions in Job 38.
Agur knew that somebody must have created the world. But he did not realize that God created the world.
Agur knew that somebody must control the wind and the seas. But he did not realize that God controls these things.
Verse 4 is an important verse. The verse shows that God guided the Bible writers (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Verse 4 is about Jesus, who is God’s son. But Agur knew nothing about Jesus. Agur lived over 1000 years before Jesus was born. Nobody knew about Jesus then. But Agur mentioned subjects that nobody knew before Jesus.
The people of Agur’s time did not know that Jesus is God’s son. They did not even think that God had a son. (See John 10:30-36.) But Agur wanted to know about God’s son. And Jesus is God’s son (John 3:16).
The people of Agur’s time believed that God was in heaven. They did not think that God would come to earth. But Agur thought that God would come to earth. And Jesus came to earth to save us (Philippians 2:5-8).
Agur knew few things (verse 2). But God guided Agur, so that Agur wrote great words in the Bible.
Verses 5-6 - Agur wanted someone to teach him. But Agur already knew some things. He knew that God’s word is perfect. And Agur was right. The Bible is perfect.
Agur also knew that we must teach the Bible accurately. This is also right.
Agur knew that God will punish our evil actions. This is also right. But Agur did not explain some important principles. He did not say that God loves us. He did not say that God wants to forgive us. Agur was afraid of God, because he did not know about God’s love.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 29:22-27
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:22-27
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v22 The man who has a bad temper is always ready to start arguments.
He will cause a lot of trouble.
v23 A proud man will become humble.
But a humble man will receive honor.
v24 In court, even a thief’s friend becomes his enemy.
The thief’s friend promises to God to tell the truth.
Then the thief’s friend does not dare to say anything.
v25 If you are afraid of people, then this fear will cause troubles for you.
But the person that trusts God is safe.
v26 Many people want judges to help them.
But only God deals fairly with everyone.
v27 Good people hate evil people.
Evil people hate good people.
Comment:
Verse 22 - Anger is dangerous. A bad temper causes many troubles. We should learn to stay calm.
Verse 23 - The proud man wants to be a great man. But God will not allow such a man to become great. See Proverbs 16:18.
But God loves humble people. And God will give honor to them. See Luke 1:51-53.
Jesus was humble. Although Jesus is God, Jesus became a man. And he lived like a servant. He even died like a criminal. But God has given the greatest honor to Jesus. And everyone will know that Jesus is God. See Philippians 2:5-11.
Verse 24 - The thief’s friend does not help the thief. When the thief is in court, the thief wants his friend to lie.
In court, the friend promises to God to tell the truth. The friend is not afraid of the court. But he is afraid of God. And this friend remembers that God will punish people who lie.
So, when the lawyers ask their questions, the thief’s friend says nothing.
Verse 25 - People will cause many troubles. There are many cruel people. But do not be a coward! God will protect you. Trust in him. See Psalm 91.
Verse 26 - Perhaps you trust judges. Perhaps you think that the court will help you. But there are some evil judges. And even good judges sometimes make wrong decisions. So trust God. He is fair with everyone.
Verse 27 - Good people and evil people have nothing in common.
Do not suppose that evil people will support you. If you do the right things, then evil people will still hate you.
And do not support an evil man’s scheme. His scheme will be cruel. Or his scheme will be evil. Or his scheme might even be terrible. It will not be a good scheme, because the man himself is evil.
Instead, warn the evil man. He must confess his evil deeds to God. And he must invite God into his life.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:22-27
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v22 The man who has a bad temper is always ready to start arguments.
He will cause a lot of trouble.
v23 A proud man will become humble.
But a humble man will receive honor.
v24 In court, even a thief’s friend becomes his enemy.
The thief’s friend promises to God to tell the truth.
Then the thief’s friend does not dare to say anything.
v25 If you are afraid of people, then this fear will cause troubles for you.
But the person that trusts God is safe.
v26 Many people want judges to help them.
But only God deals fairly with everyone.
v27 Good people hate evil people.
Evil people hate good people.
Comment:
Verse 22 - Anger is dangerous. A bad temper causes many troubles. We should learn to stay calm.
Verse 23 - The proud man wants to be a great man. But God will not allow such a man to become great. See Proverbs 16:18.
But God loves humble people. And God will give honor to them. See Luke 1:51-53.
Jesus was humble. Although Jesus is God, Jesus became a man. And he lived like a servant. He even died like a criminal. But God has given the greatest honor to Jesus. And everyone will know that Jesus is God. See Philippians 2:5-11.
Verse 24 - The thief’s friend does not help the thief. When the thief is in court, the thief wants his friend to lie.
In court, the friend promises to God to tell the truth. The friend is not afraid of the court. But he is afraid of God. And this friend remembers that God will punish people who lie.
So, when the lawyers ask their questions, the thief’s friend says nothing.
Verse 25 - People will cause many troubles. There are many cruel people. But do not be a coward! God will protect you. Trust in him. See Psalm 91.
Verse 26 - Perhaps you trust judges. Perhaps you think that the court will help you. But there are some evil judges. And even good judges sometimes make wrong decisions. So trust God. He is fair with everyone.
Verse 27 - Good people and evil people have nothing in common.
Do not suppose that evil people will support you. If you do the right things, then evil people will still hate you.
And do not support an evil man’s scheme. His scheme will be cruel. Or his scheme will be evil. Or his scheme might even be terrible. It will not be a good scheme, because the man himself is evil.
Instead, warn the evil man. He must confess his evil deeds to God. And he must invite God into his life.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 29:15-21
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:15-21
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v15 A smack teaches wisdom.
A mother must teach discipline to her child. Otherwise, the child’s behaviour will cause shame to her.
v16 When wicked people succeed, there is more evil behaviour.
But, in time, this evil situation will end.
v17 Correct your son! Then he will bring relief to you.
You will be glad, because of your son.
v18 People do evil things when they do not know God’s message.
But God is pleased with the person who obeys God’s law.
v19 You cannot teach your servant with mere words.
He can understand your words, but he will not obey you.
v20 Even a fool is better than a man who speaks without thought.
v21 If you give special luxuries to your servant, he will cause you trouble in the end.
Comment:
Verse 15 - See Proverbs 22:15. This mother is upset because her child is evil. She should punish her child. Then her child will learn good behavior. Otherwise, the child will continue to do evil things, even when the child becomes old.
Verse 16 - Wicked people will not always succeed. In time, God will punish them. Then good people will rule the country.
We see that some people are very evil. Perhaps there always seems to be some evil rulers. But, in the end, God will punish evil people. Even the countries that we know in this world last only for a short time. But God’s rule in heaven never ends. So he is always king. (Daniel 4:3).
God rules from heaven. In heaven, nobody is evil. In heaven, nobody suffers. In heaven, there is no pain. See Revelation 21:4.
Verse 17 - See verse 15. When your child learns to do the right things, you will be glad.
Verse 18 - If someone does evil things, then tell God’s message to that person. Tell that person about Jesus. Tell that person about God’s love. And tell that person that he must invite God into his life.
Some people will obey your advice. They will invite God into their lives. They will learn to do the right things. And they will serve God, because they accepted God’s message.
Verse 19 - Sometimes people cannot understand our words. They need to see our actions.
This servant might be a child. So the master must punish his servant as a child. The servant’s punishment should be fair. Then he will learn right behavior.
Verse 20 - Think before you speak! Perhaps you need to obtain advice from wise people. Make a good decision! Then, when you speak, your words will be wise.
Verse 21 - This servant might be a child. Be sensible when you give gifts to your children. Give gifts that will help them.
This verse is difficult to translate. Other possible meanings are:
• If you give your child only luxuries, he will become a servant. And he will suffer in the end.
• If you give honor to your servant boy, in the end he will become your son.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:15-21
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v15 A smack teaches wisdom.
A mother must teach discipline to her child. Otherwise, the child’s behaviour will cause shame to her.
v16 When wicked people succeed, there is more evil behaviour.
But, in time, this evil situation will end.
v17 Correct your son! Then he will bring relief to you.
You will be glad, because of your son.
v18 People do evil things when they do not know God’s message.
But God is pleased with the person who obeys God’s law.
v19 You cannot teach your servant with mere words.
He can understand your words, but he will not obey you.
v20 Even a fool is better than a man who speaks without thought.
v21 If you give special luxuries to your servant, he will cause you trouble in the end.
Comment:
Verse 15 - See Proverbs 22:15. This mother is upset because her child is evil. She should punish her child. Then her child will learn good behavior. Otherwise, the child will continue to do evil things, even when the child becomes old.
Verse 16 - Wicked people will not always succeed. In time, God will punish them. Then good people will rule the country.
We see that some people are very evil. Perhaps there always seems to be some evil rulers. But, in the end, God will punish evil people. Even the countries that we know in this world last only for a short time. But God’s rule in heaven never ends. So he is always king. (Daniel 4:3).
God rules from heaven. In heaven, nobody is evil. In heaven, nobody suffers. In heaven, there is no pain. See Revelation 21:4.
Verse 17 - See verse 15. When your child learns to do the right things, you will be glad.
Verse 18 - If someone does evil things, then tell God’s message to that person. Tell that person about Jesus. Tell that person about God’s love. And tell that person that he must invite God into his life.
Some people will obey your advice. They will invite God into their lives. They will learn to do the right things. And they will serve God, because they accepted God’s message.
Verse 19 - Sometimes people cannot understand our words. They need to see our actions.
This servant might be a child. So the master must punish his servant as a child. The servant’s punishment should be fair. Then he will learn right behavior.
Verse 20 - Think before you speak! Perhaps you need to obtain advice from wise people. Make a good decision! Then, when you speak, your words will be wise.
Verse 21 - This servant might be a child. Be sensible when you give gifts to your children. Give gifts that will help them.
This verse is difficult to translate. Other possible meanings are:
• If you give your child only luxuries, he will become a servant. And he will suffer in the end.
• If you give honor to your servant boy, in the end he will become your son.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Monday, December 25, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 29:7-14
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:7-14
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v7 Good people want fair laws that will help poor people.
But wicked men do not want this.
v8 Insults will cause a city’s inhabitants to be angry.
But wise men will help the people to be calm.
v9 When a wise man opposes a fool, the fool might laugh.
Or the fool might be angry.
But the fool will not be calm.
v10 Cruel men hate an honest man.
They want to kill him.
v11 A fool can become very angry.
But a wise man behaves well.
v12 When a ruler listens to lies, his officials become wicked.
v13 There are poor people.
And there are evil rulers.
God allows them all to see the reality of the situation.
v14 If a king is fair to poor people, his nation will always be safe.
Comment:
Verse 7 - If the law is fair, poor people will benefit. The law will protect them, so that they will not starve.
In England, 150 years ago, many good people worked hard to free slaves. These good people persuaded the government to make good laws. But many people opposed these good laws.
Selfish people will always oppose good laws. These people do not care about poor people.
Verse 8 - People hate insults. The inhabitants of this city will be very angry. They might even want to attack the people who insulted them. But this reaction is not always sensible.
Wise men will help the city’s inhabitants to be calm. Then people can consider the situation carefully. And they will make a sensible decision.
When we are angry, we cannot always make sensible decisions. We should try to become calm. Then our decisions will be good decisions.
Verse 9 - By ‘fool’, Solomon means an evil man. This evil man does not like the wise man’s sensible words. The evil man hates the wise man. And the wise man’s calm words may upset the evil man. So the evil man’s reaction is foolish. Perhaps he insults the wise man. Or perhaps the evil man is angry. But the evil man cannot be calm.
Verse 10 - Cruel people oppose honest people. Cruel people do not want anyone to be honest. The honest person could ruin their evil schemes. So cruel people think that honest people are their enemies.
Verse 11 - A fool is an evil person. And he has many evil schemes. If you upset this man, he will be very angry.
But a wise person should not be very angry. The evil person may try to upset him. But the wise man keeps calm.
Verse 12 - A ruler needs good advisers who speak the truth. The ruler should not prefer officials who lie. If he does, then the whole government will be evil.
Verse 13 - These people are poor because their rulers are evil. God allows the people to know this. And God also allows the rulers to realize this.
Verse 14 - A king should care about his poor people. He should defend them.
The king should not allow cruel people to cheat the poor people. Good laws oppose cruel people. Good laws defend poor people.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:7-14
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v7 Good people want fair laws that will help poor people.
But wicked men do not want this.
v8 Insults will cause a city’s inhabitants to be angry.
But wise men will help the people to be calm.
v9 When a wise man opposes a fool, the fool might laugh.
Or the fool might be angry.
But the fool will not be calm.
v10 Cruel men hate an honest man.
They want to kill him.
v11 A fool can become very angry.
But a wise man behaves well.
v12 When a ruler listens to lies, his officials become wicked.
v13 There are poor people.
And there are evil rulers.
God allows them all to see the reality of the situation.
v14 If a king is fair to poor people, his nation will always be safe.
Comment:
Verse 7 - If the law is fair, poor people will benefit. The law will protect them, so that they will not starve.
In England, 150 years ago, many good people worked hard to free slaves. These good people persuaded the government to make good laws. But many people opposed these good laws.
Selfish people will always oppose good laws. These people do not care about poor people.
Verse 8 - People hate insults. The inhabitants of this city will be very angry. They might even want to attack the people who insulted them. But this reaction is not always sensible.
Wise men will help the city’s inhabitants to be calm. Then people can consider the situation carefully. And they will make a sensible decision.
When we are angry, we cannot always make sensible decisions. We should try to become calm. Then our decisions will be good decisions.
Verse 9 - By ‘fool’, Solomon means an evil man. This evil man does not like the wise man’s sensible words. The evil man hates the wise man. And the wise man’s calm words may upset the evil man. So the evil man’s reaction is foolish. Perhaps he insults the wise man. Or perhaps the evil man is angry. But the evil man cannot be calm.
Verse 10 - Cruel people oppose honest people. Cruel people do not want anyone to be honest. The honest person could ruin their evil schemes. So cruel people think that honest people are their enemies.
Verse 11 - A fool is an evil person. And he has many evil schemes. If you upset this man, he will be very angry.
But a wise person should not be very angry. The evil person may try to upset him. But the wise man keeps calm.
Verse 12 - A ruler needs good advisers who speak the truth. The ruler should not prefer officials who lie. If he does, then the whole government will be evil.
Verse 13 - These people are poor because their rulers are evil. God allows the people to know this. And God also allows the rulers to realize this.
Verse 14 - A king should care about his poor people. He should defend them.
The king should not allow cruel people to cheat the poor people. Good laws oppose cruel people. Good laws defend poor people.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Go and teach all nations - To Us a Child Is Born
Go and teach all nations
To Us a Child Is Born
Isaiah 9:1-7
In a time of great darkness, God promised to send a great light – fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.
You have multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before you according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For you have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
The shinning light
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The establishment of the eternal kingdom
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
To Us a Child Is Born
Isaiah 9:1-7
In a time of great darkness, God promised to send a great light – fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.
You have multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before you according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For you have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
The shinning light
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The establishment of the eternal kingdom
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 29:1-6
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:1-6
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v1 A man might refuse to change his behavior, even if many people try to correct him.
A terrible trouble will suddenly ruin that man’s life. No remedy can save him.
v2 When good people succeed, everybody is happy.
When wicked people rule, everybody suffers.
v3 A man’s wisdom brings joy to his father.
But a man, who loves to have sex, wastes his money on women.
v4 When the king is fair, his nation is safe.
When a king accepts bribes (secret gifts), he destroys his nation.
v5 A man may praise his neighbor with words that are not sincere.
Such a man will cause trouble.
v6 An evil man will suffer because of his own evil actions.
But a good man can sing. And he will be glad.
Comment:
Verse 1 - We try to help people. But they will not always follow our advice. We can try to teach such people. And we can warn them. But we cannot change their behavior. In the end, they will lose their last chance. If they refuse to learn, then God will punish them. See Proverbs 1:24-33.
Verse 2 - We do not want wicked rulers. We should pray that our rulers will be good rulers. Everyone will benefit if our rulers are good.
Verse 3 - A father is glad if his son grows to be wise.
But some sons are foolish. They love pleasure. They love sex. And they sleep with many women. These sons waste their own money. They waste their own strength. Perhaps they even waste their fathers’ money. So their fathers are sad.
Solomon’s son did not grow to be wise. This son, called Rehoboam, was a foolish king. He loved pleasure. His selfish attitudes caused his country to split in two. His people suffered greatly because of him.
Verse 4 - Solomon was a king. And he was also a judge. He believed that a ruler must be fair. He taught his officials to refuse bribes (secret gifts).
Later Hezekiah became king. His officials found this good advice and they copied it (Proverbs 25:1). Hezekiah was a good king who respected God.
And this verse is still good advice today. People do many evil things because of bribes.
Verse 5 - The first man has an evil scheme. He uses words that are not sincere to praise his neighbor. So this evil man pretends that his neighbor is a great man. The evil man wants the neighbor to trust him. Then the neighbor will give gifts to the evil man. Or perhaps the evil man will steal from the neighbor.
We are not sure about the meaning of the second line. Perhaps it means that the purpose of such words is to cause trouble for the neighbor. Or perhaps the meaning is that the evil man will cause trouble for himself, as in verse 6.
Verse 6 - This evil man causes his own problems. But a good person has great joy. So he sings.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 29:1-6
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v1 A man might refuse to change his behavior, even if many people try to correct him.
A terrible trouble will suddenly ruin that man’s life. No remedy can save him.
v2 When good people succeed, everybody is happy.
When wicked people rule, everybody suffers.
v3 A man’s wisdom brings joy to his father.
But a man, who loves to have sex, wastes his money on women.
v4 When the king is fair, his nation is safe.
When a king accepts bribes (secret gifts), he destroys his nation.
v5 A man may praise his neighbor with words that are not sincere.
Such a man will cause trouble.
v6 An evil man will suffer because of his own evil actions.
But a good man can sing. And he will be glad.
Comment:
Verse 1 - We try to help people. But they will not always follow our advice. We can try to teach such people. And we can warn them. But we cannot change their behavior. In the end, they will lose their last chance. If they refuse to learn, then God will punish them. See Proverbs 1:24-33.
Verse 2 - We do not want wicked rulers. We should pray that our rulers will be good rulers. Everyone will benefit if our rulers are good.
Verse 3 - A father is glad if his son grows to be wise.
But some sons are foolish. They love pleasure. They love sex. And they sleep with many women. These sons waste their own money. They waste their own strength. Perhaps they even waste their fathers’ money. So their fathers are sad.
Solomon’s son did not grow to be wise. This son, called Rehoboam, was a foolish king. He loved pleasure. His selfish attitudes caused his country to split in two. His people suffered greatly because of him.
Verse 4 - Solomon was a king. And he was also a judge. He believed that a ruler must be fair. He taught his officials to refuse bribes (secret gifts).
Later Hezekiah became king. His officials found this good advice and they copied it (Proverbs 25:1). Hezekiah was a good king who respected God.
And this verse is still good advice today. People do many evil things because of bribes.
Verse 5 - The first man has an evil scheme. He uses words that are not sincere to praise his neighbor. So this evil man pretends that his neighbor is a great man. The evil man wants the neighbor to trust him. Then the neighbor will give gifts to the evil man. Or perhaps the evil man will steal from the neighbor.
We are not sure about the meaning of the second line. Perhaps it means that the purpose of such words is to cause trouble for the neighbor. Or perhaps the meaning is that the evil man will cause trouble for himself, as in verse 6.
Verse 6 - This evil man causes his own problems. But a good person has great joy. So he sings.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Friday, December 22, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 28:20-28
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:20-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v20 If you can trust a man, that man deserves a rich reward.
But a man who only wants money deserves a punishment.
v21 Always be fair!
But some people will obey an evil request, even if their reward is a mere sandwich.
v22 A greedy man is eager to become rich.
He does not realize that his attitude will make him poor.
v23 It is better to correct a man than to pretend that he is right.
v24 A man steals from his parents.
He says, ‘I deserve this money!’
He is as bad as the worst thief.
v25 The greedy man causes arguments.
But the man that trusts in God will succeed.
v26 If you trust yourself, then you are a proud fool.
If you are wise in God’s ways, then you will be safe.
v27 If you are generous to poor people, then you will always have enough for yourself.
But if you avoid poor people, then you will suffer many insults.
v28 When wicked men become powerful, people must hide.
When wicked people fail, good people succeed.
Comment:
Verse 20 - You can trust the first man. So pay him well! Christians should behave like this man. Other people should be able to trust a Christian.
But the second man only wants your money. He wants the money, but he does not care about the work. So he is not careful. He does not do the job well. And he does not deserve the money. Instead, he deserves a punishment.
As Christians, we should not love money (1 Timothy 6:10). And we should not love our possessions. We should love God. And we should love to do the right things.
Verse 21 - A good person is always fair. But some people do not care whether their actions are good or evil. They only want money. Or they only want a reward. And if someone rewards them, they will do anything. They would even do evil things.
A sandwich is not a big reward. But even such a small gift is enough to persuade some people to do an evil deed.
Verse 22 - This man is greedy. He does not want to share anything with other people. He supposes that this attitude will make him rich. But his scheme is stupid. He needs friends, but he will lose his friends. They will hate his attitudes. And the greedy man will waste his own possessions. And God will punish this man because the man is not generous. So the greedy man’s scheme will fail. And he will become poor.
Verse 23 - We all need to know the truth. We need to know when we are wrong. We need to accept words of correction. These words may not seem pleasant. We might feel terrible when we hear these words. We might prefer to hear that we are right. But a lie does not help us.
Verse 24 - This man ought to provide for his parents. He should look after them. See Mark 7:9-13. Instead, the man steals his parents’ money. And he imagines that he deserves the money. This is terrible. This man is a very evil son.
Jesus told a story about a similar subject in Luke 15:11-24. A young man took his father’s money. This son wasted all the money. But he returned to his father. And he confessed his evil deed to his father. The father forgave him.
The father in the story is like God. And the son is like us. We all do evil things. But if we humbly confess our evil deeds, God will forgive us.
Verse 25 - If you love your own possessions, you cause trouble. So trust God! He will protect you. And he will provide for you.
Verse 26 - Do not trust yourself! Trust God! You will become wise if you trust God. And you will be safe, because God will protect you.
Verse 27 - God wants us to be generous. If we are generous, then God will help us. See Psalm 37:25-26 and Luke 6:38.
Verse 28 - We want good people to succeed. We want good people to be in the government. And we want our rulers to serve God. Then our country will be a good country.
But if wicked people are the rulers, then the country is a bad place. The law is not fair. Everybody suffers.
So we should pray for our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2).
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:20-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v20 If you can trust a man, that man deserves a rich reward.
But a man who only wants money deserves a punishment.
v21 Always be fair!
But some people will obey an evil request, even if their reward is a mere sandwich.
v22 A greedy man is eager to become rich.
He does not realize that his attitude will make him poor.
v23 It is better to correct a man than to pretend that he is right.
v24 A man steals from his parents.
He says, ‘I deserve this money!’
He is as bad as the worst thief.
v25 The greedy man causes arguments.
But the man that trusts in God will succeed.
v26 If you trust yourself, then you are a proud fool.
If you are wise in God’s ways, then you will be safe.
v27 If you are generous to poor people, then you will always have enough for yourself.
But if you avoid poor people, then you will suffer many insults.
v28 When wicked men become powerful, people must hide.
When wicked people fail, good people succeed.
Comment:
Verse 20 - You can trust the first man. So pay him well! Christians should behave like this man. Other people should be able to trust a Christian.
But the second man only wants your money. He wants the money, but he does not care about the work. So he is not careful. He does not do the job well. And he does not deserve the money. Instead, he deserves a punishment.
As Christians, we should not love money (1 Timothy 6:10). And we should not love our possessions. We should love God. And we should love to do the right things.
Verse 21 - A good person is always fair. But some people do not care whether their actions are good or evil. They only want money. Or they only want a reward. And if someone rewards them, they will do anything. They would even do evil things.
A sandwich is not a big reward. But even such a small gift is enough to persuade some people to do an evil deed.
Verse 22 - This man is greedy. He does not want to share anything with other people. He supposes that this attitude will make him rich. But his scheme is stupid. He needs friends, but he will lose his friends. They will hate his attitudes. And the greedy man will waste his own possessions. And God will punish this man because the man is not generous. So the greedy man’s scheme will fail. And he will become poor.
Verse 23 - We all need to know the truth. We need to know when we are wrong. We need to accept words of correction. These words may not seem pleasant. We might feel terrible when we hear these words. We might prefer to hear that we are right. But a lie does not help us.
Verse 24 - This man ought to provide for his parents. He should look after them. See Mark 7:9-13. Instead, the man steals his parents’ money. And he imagines that he deserves the money. This is terrible. This man is a very evil son.
Jesus told a story about a similar subject in Luke 15:11-24. A young man took his father’s money. This son wasted all the money. But he returned to his father. And he confessed his evil deed to his father. The father forgave him.
The father in the story is like God. And the son is like us. We all do evil things. But if we humbly confess our evil deeds, God will forgive us.
Verse 25 - If you love your own possessions, you cause trouble. So trust God! He will protect you. And he will provide for you.
Verse 26 - Do not trust yourself! Trust God! You will become wise if you trust God. And you will be safe, because God will protect you.
Verse 27 - God wants us to be generous. If we are generous, then God will help us. See Psalm 37:25-26 and Luke 6:38.
Verse 28 - We want good people to succeed. We want good people to be in the government. And we want our rulers to serve God. Then our country will be a good country.
But if wicked people are the rulers, then the country is a bad place. The law is not fair. Everybody suffers.
So we should pray for our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2).
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 28:13-19
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:13-19
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v13 Do not pretend that you are innocent.
You cannot succeed if you pretend this.
Instead, confess your evil actions.
God will forgive you if you stop your evil behavior.
v14 God is kind to people who respect him.
But a man who refuses to change will suffer many troubles.
v15 A wicked man may rule over weak people.
He is like a cruel lion or an angry bear.
v16 A cruel ruler lacks wisdom.
But a ruler who refuses bribes (secret gifts) or unfair profits will have a long life.
v17 A murderer must always run away from people.
Nobody should assist him.
v18 An honest man will be safe.
An evil man will suddenly suffer.
v19 A farmer who works hard will have plenty of food.
A lazy man’s imagination will only make him poor.
Comment:
Verse 13 - This is a very important lesson. You must confess your evil deeds to God. You must invite God into your life. God will forgive you, because of Jesus. You cannot stop your evil behavior by your own efforts. But God will help you. Trust God now! Do not delay!
Verse 14 - If you respect God, then God will help you. And you will become wise (Proverbs 1:7).
But some people refuse to obey God’s message. They do not invite God into their lives. They continue their evil deeds. They do not want God to help them. The Book of Proverbs calls these people ‘fools’. God will be their judge. And he will punish them for their evil deeds.
Verse 15 - Lions and bears are strong animals. They attack. And they kill.
A wicked ruler is like these animals. He does not care about his people. He only cares about himself. He will attack his own people. He will even kill his own people. And the people are weak, so they cannot defend themselves.
Verse 16 - A ruler should not be cruel. He should not attack his own people. If he does, he is not wise. A ruler needs his people to protect him from his enemy.
The ruler’s own people hate a cruel ruler. So this cruel ruler is stupid.
A wise person is honest. He does not cheat. He does not steal money. He is fair with everybody. And God will help that honest person. The honest person will have a good life.
Verse 17 - A murderer has a bad conscience. So he is afraid of people. At any time, they could guess what he has done. A murderer knows that he deserves punishment. His actions are very evil.
God’s law says, ‘Do not murder!’ (Deuteronomy 5:17). So do not help a murderer to escape.
But God can forgive even a murderer. But the murderer must confess his evil deed. And he must humbly ask God to forgive him. See 1 Samuel chapters 11 - 12 and Psalm 51.
Verse 18 - The honest man is safe because God protects him. God sees the man’s honest behavior. And God loves that man.
But sometimes, honest people suffer. See the Book of Job in the Bible. God allowed the devil to test Job. Job’s friends thought that Job suffered because of his evil deeds. But Job was an honest man.
God is a fair judge. He cared about Job. God did not rescue Job immediately. Job was patient (James 5:11). But in time, God helped Job. And in time, God will rescue everyone who loves God.
But an evil man will suffer. This man might not suffer immediately. But God is a fair judge. And in time, God will punish that man. And the punishment will be sudden. So the evil man must not delay. He must invite God into his life now. God will forgive the evil man, if the evil man humbly confesses his evil deeds to God.
Verse 19 - Do not be lazy! Do not continue to sleep when you should work! You might prefer to imagine good things. You might not want to work. But your imagination cannot provide your food. So you need to work.
Some church leaders imagine that their churches will achieve many things. They speak about their ideas. But they do not want to work. They do not want to teach God’s message. They do not care about people who are not Christians. Perhaps these church leaders do not even invite people to come to their churches. They only want to enjoy themselves. And they only want to imagine good things. Such attitudes are not good.
Church leaders need to work. They must not be lazy. Then their ideas might become reality. And many people will hear God’s message. See John 4:34-38 and Matthew 28:18-20.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:13-19
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v13 Do not pretend that you are innocent.
You cannot succeed if you pretend this.
Instead, confess your evil actions.
God will forgive you if you stop your evil behavior.
v14 God is kind to people who respect him.
But a man who refuses to change will suffer many troubles.
v15 A wicked man may rule over weak people.
He is like a cruel lion or an angry bear.
v16 A cruel ruler lacks wisdom.
But a ruler who refuses bribes (secret gifts) or unfair profits will have a long life.
v17 A murderer must always run away from people.
Nobody should assist him.
v18 An honest man will be safe.
An evil man will suddenly suffer.
v19 A farmer who works hard will have plenty of food.
A lazy man’s imagination will only make him poor.
Comment:
Verse 13 - This is a very important lesson. You must confess your evil deeds to God. You must invite God into your life. God will forgive you, because of Jesus. You cannot stop your evil behavior by your own efforts. But God will help you. Trust God now! Do not delay!
Verse 14 - If you respect God, then God will help you. And you will become wise (Proverbs 1:7).
But some people refuse to obey God’s message. They do not invite God into their lives. They continue their evil deeds. They do not want God to help them. The Book of Proverbs calls these people ‘fools’. God will be their judge. And he will punish them for their evil deeds.
Verse 15 - Lions and bears are strong animals. They attack. And they kill.
A wicked ruler is like these animals. He does not care about his people. He only cares about himself. He will attack his own people. He will even kill his own people. And the people are weak, so they cannot defend themselves.
Verse 16 - A ruler should not be cruel. He should not attack his own people. If he does, he is not wise. A ruler needs his people to protect him from his enemy.
The ruler’s own people hate a cruel ruler. So this cruel ruler is stupid.
A wise person is honest. He does not cheat. He does not steal money. He is fair with everybody. And God will help that honest person. The honest person will have a good life.
Verse 17 - A murderer has a bad conscience. So he is afraid of people. At any time, they could guess what he has done. A murderer knows that he deserves punishment. His actions are very evil.
God’s law says, ‘Do not murder!’ (Deuteronomy 5:17). So do not help a murderer to escape.
But God can forgive even a murderer. But the murderer must confess his evil deed. And he must humbly ask God to forgive him. See 1 Samuel chapters 11 - 12 and Psalm 51.
Verse 18 - The honest man is safe because God protects him. God sees the man’s honest behavior. And God loves that man.
But sometimes, honest people suffer. See the Book of Job in the Bible. God allowed the devil to test Job. Job’s friends thought that Job suffered because of his evil deeds. But Job was an honest man.
God is a fair judge. He cared about Job. God did not rescue Job immediately. Job was patient (James 5:11). But in time, God helped Job. And in time, God will rescue everyone who loves God.
But an evil man will suffer. This man might not suffer immediately. But God is a fair judge. And in time, God will punish that man. And the punishment will be sudden. So the evil man must not delay. He must invite God into his life now. God will forgive the evil man, if the evil man humbly confesses his evil deeds to God.
Verse 19 - Do not be lazy! Do not continue to sleep when you should work! You might prefer to imagine good things. You might not want to work. But your imagination cannot provide your food. So you need to work.
Some church leaders imagine that their churches will achieve many things. They speak about their ideas. But they do not want to work. They do not want to teach God’s message. They do not care about people who are not Christians. Perhaps these church leaders do not even invite people to come to their churches. They only want to enjoy themselves. And they only want to imagine good things. Such attitudes are not good.
Church leaders need to work. They must not be lazy. Then their ideas might become reality. And many people will hear God’s message. See John 4:34-38 and Matthew 28:18-20.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 28:6-12
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:6-12
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v6 It is better to be honest and poor, than to be rich and evil.
v7 If you obey the law, then you are a wise son.
But if you are greedy, you cause shame to your father.
v8 One man charges excess interest (money for a loan). He becomes wealthy.
But his money will pass to someone else. And that person will be generous to poor people.
v9 God hates even the prayers of a man who will not obey God’s law.
v10 If a man plots against good people, he will suffer from his own evil scheme.
But a good person will receive good things.
v11 A rich man might think that he is wise.
But a poor man who is wise knows the truth about that rich man.
v12 When good people succeed, everybody is glad.
When wicked men become powerful, men will hide themselves.
Comment:
Verse 6 - Perhaps you can become rich by an evil method. Perhaps you can get more money if you lie to people. Or perhaps you have another evil scheme to increase your wealth.
But your evil deeds will ruin your relationship with God. See Isaiah 59:1-2. People can do many terrible things for money (1 Timothy 6:10).
So do not allow money to tempt you. A poor, honest man is better than a rich, evil man.
Verse 7 - Money does not tempt everybody. Food and drink can tempt some people. In the second line, the son upsets his father. This is because the son only wants to eat. This son is greedy. And he does not care about other things. He does not even care about God’s law.
Verse 8 - This wealthy man is an evil man. He lends money. But he does not charge fairly. So he obtains a big income. And the people who are in debt will suffer. (See Exodus 22:25.)
But, in the end, the wealthy man will die. Perhaps his son will be generous. And perhaps his son will care about poor people.
As we earn our money, we should be fair. We should not cause other people to suffer. And we ourselves should be generous to poor people.
Verse 9 - An evil man refuses to obey God’s law. And even his prayers are evil. Perhaps he prays that his evil plans will succeed. Or perhaps he prays to an evil god. The true God hates these prayers. So God will not answer this man’s prayers.
Verse 10 - A man may have evil plans against good people. But God cares about good people. God will not allow evil plans to succeed. Instead, the evil man will suffer from his own evil schemes.
Verse 11 - This rich man thinks that he is wise. He thinks this because he is wealthy. So he supposes that he is wiser than other people.
But the poor man who is wise knows the truth about the rich man. This poor man knows why the rich man is wealthy. This rich man is wealthy because he cheats poor people. If the rich man were wise, he would respect God. And he would respect God’s law. So this rich man cannot be wise.
Some wise people are rich. But many wise people are poor. And a poor person who is wise is better than a rich fool.
Verse 12 - We want good people to succeed. We want good people to be in the government. And we want our rulers to serve God. Then our country will be a good country.
But if wicked people are the rulers, then the country is a bad place. The law is not fair. Everybody suffers.
So we should pray for our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2).
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:6-12
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v6 It is better to be honest and poor, than to be rich and evil.
v7 If you obey the law, then you are a wise son.
But if you are greedy, you cause shame to your father.
v8 One man charges excess interest (money for a loan). He becomes wealthy.
But his money will pass to someone else. And that person will be generous to poor people.
v9 God hates even the prayers of a man who will not obey God’s law.
v10 If a man plots against good people, he will suffer from his own evil scheme.
But a good person will receive good things.
v11 A rich man might think that he is wise.
But a poor man who is wise knows the truth about that rich man.
v12 When good people succeed, everybody is glad.
When wicked men become powerful, men will hide themselves.
Comment:
Verse 6 - Perhaps you can become rich by an evil method. Perhaps you can get more money if you lie to people. Or perhaps you have another evil scheme to increase your wealth.
But your evil deeds will ruin your relationship with God. See Isaiah 59:1-2. People can do many terrible things for money (1 Timothy 6:10).
So do not allow money to tempt you. A poor, honest man is better than a rich, evil man.
Verse 7 - Money does not tempt everybody. Food and drink can tempt some people. In the second line, the son upsets his father. This is because the son only wants to eat. This son is greedy. And he does not care about other things. He does not even care about God’s law.
Verse 8 - This wealthy man is an evil man. He lends money. But he does not charge fairly. So he obtains a big income. And the people who are in debt will suffer. (See Exodus 22:25.)
But, in the end, the wealthy man will die. Perhaps his son will be generous. And perhaps his son will care about poor people.
As we earn our money, we should be fair. We should not cause other people to suffer. And we ourselves should be generous to poor people.
Verse 9 - An evil man refuses to obey God’s law. And even his prayers are evil. Perhaps he prays that his evil plans will succeed. Or perhaps he prays to an evil god. The true God hates these prayers. So God will not answer this man’s prayers.
Verse 10 - A man may have evil plans against good people. But God cares about good people. God will not allow evil plans to succeed. Instead, the evil man will suffer from his own evil schemes.
Verse 11 - This rich man thinks that he is wise. He thinks this because he is wealthy. So he supposes that he is wiser than other people.
But the poor man who is wise knows the truth about the rich man. This poor man knows why the rich man is wealthy. This rich man is wealthy because he cheats poor people. If the rich man were wise, he would respect God. And he would respect God’s law. So this rich man cannot be wise.
Some wise people are rich. But many wise people are poor. And a poor person who is wise is better than a rich fool.
Verse 12 - We want good people to succeed. We want good people to be in the government. And we want our rulers to serve God. Then our country will be a good country.
But if wicked people are the rulers, then the country is a bad place. The law is not fair. Everybody suffers.
So we should pray for our rulers (1 Timothy 2:2).
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 28:1-5
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:1-5
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v1 A wicked person runs away, even if nobody is chasing him.
But good people are as bold as lions.
v2 A country of evil people has many rulers.
But with one wise ruler, a country has security.
v3 A strong, poor man might cheat weak, poor people.
He is like a storm that destroys their crops.
v4 People that do not obey the law praise wicked people.
But people that obey the law oppose wicked people.
v5 Evil people cannot understand the word ‘fair’.
But people that respect God are always fair.
Comment:
Verse 1 - A wicked man has a bad conscience. And he does not trust God. So a wicked man has no hope for the future. And he is afraid of many things.
But the good man has a good conscience. He trusts God. The good man is not afraid that he might lose his money. He knows that God will provide. The good man is not even afraid of death. God will take the good man to heaven when the good man dies. So the good man has courage. See Daniel 3 and Matthew 6:25-34.
Verse 2 - An evil country has many rulers. This is because evil people hate each other. So they oppose each other and they fight for power. Such a country is never at peace.
But a good country has one ruler. The people respect their ruler. And the ruler is fair. So that country is a good place to live.
Verse 3 - Sometimes a poor man becomes powerful. But he might not use his power fairly. He might be very cruel. He does not remember that he is like the other poor people. He thinks that he is better than them. So he cheats them. He acts as if they are his slaves.
Verse 4 - If you respect the law, then you do not want evil people to succeed. You want to stop their evil plans. If their evil plans succeed, then everybody will suffer. And other people will not respect the law.
Especially, the police should oppose the plans of wicked people.
Verse 5 - Evil people do not know how to be fair. They do not even see why someone should want to be fair. But if you respect God, you will be fair with everybody.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 28:1-5
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v1 A wicked person runs away, even if nobody is chasing him.
But good people are as bold as lions.
v2 A country of evil people has many rulers.
But with one wise ruler, a country has security.
v3 A strong, poor man might cheat weak, poor people.
He is like a storm that destroys their crops.
v4 People that do not obey the law praise wicked people.
But people that obey the law oppose wicked people.
v5 Evil people cannot understand the word ‘fair’.
But people that respect God are always fair.
Comment:
Verse 1 - A wicked man has a bad conscience. And he does not trust God. So a wicked man has no hope for the future. And he is afraid of many things.
But the good man has a good conscience. He trusts God. The good man is not afraid that he might lose his money. He knows that God will provide. The good man is not even afraid of death. God will take the good man to heaven when the good man dies. So the good man has courage. See Daniel 3 and Matthew 6:25-34.
Verse 2 - An evil country has many rulers. This is because evil people hate each other. So they oppose each other and they fight for power. Such a country is never at peace.
But a good country has one ruler. The people respect their ruler. And the ruler is fair. So that country is a good place to live.
Verse 3 - Sometimes a poor man becomes powerful. But he might not use his power fairly. He might be very cruel. He does not remember that he is like the other poor people. He thinks that he is better than them. So he cheats them. He acts as if they are his slaves.
Verse 4 - If you respect the law, then you do not want evil people to succeed. You want to stop their evil plans. If their evil plans succeed, then everybody will suffer. And other people will not respect the law.
Especially, the police should oppose the plans of wicked people.
Verse 5 - Evil people do not know how to be fair. They do not even see why someone should want to be fair. But if you respect God, you will be fair with everybody.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Monday, December 18, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 27:17-27
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:17-27
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v17 You use an iron tool to make another iron tool sharper.
So one man improves another.
v18 The man that looks after a fruit tree will eat the fruit.
The servant who looks after his master will receive his reward.
v19 As water reflects a face,
so a man’s thoughts show his character.
v20 Death and hell always claim more lives.
And nothing can satisfy a man’s desire.
v21 Test silver with heat!
Test gold with fire!
If you praise a man, then you will test him.
v22 You can strike a fool as hard as you strike grain.
But he will still be a fool.
v23 Look after your animals!
Be careful on your farm.
v24 Wealth does not last.
Even a king’s family can lose their land.
v25 Store the hay! New grass will grow.
Gather grass from the hills.
v26 The wool of sheep will be your clothing.
The profit from your goats will provide the rent for your fields.
v27 You will have plenty of goat’s milk.
The milk will feed you and your family.
And the milk will provide for your servant girls.
Comment:
Verse 17 - Friendship is good. Friends should encourage each other. They should help each other. And they should teach each other about God. In the Bible, Jonathan and David were special friends. See 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-6; 20:1-42; 23:16.
Verse 18 - A good farmer deserves his harvest. And a good servant deserves a reward. His master should pay this servant well.
Verse 19 - We see our own good and bad qualities when we notice the same qualities in other people.
Verse 20 - Nothing satisfies a man’s desires. And nothing can satisfy death and hell. Only Jesus can completely satisfy human desires (John 4:13-14).
But as Christians, we must learn to be content. See Philippians 4:11-13.
Verse 21 - You can find out whether gold is real in a fire. Gold does not burn. And silver does not burn.
And you can test a man’s attitudes. Some people are proud if you praise them. Some people are foolish if you praise them. And humble people will still be humble, even if you praise them.
Verse 22 - You strike grain to make flour. A fool is an evil person who hates wisdom. A judge might order a cruel punishment for an evil person. But an evil person will learn nothing, even if you strike him many times. After his punishment, that evil man will still be evil. He will learn nothing from his punishment.
Verses 23-27 - Solomon is describing a farm. He warns the farmer to be responsible. If the farmer does not work, he could lose his land. But if the farmer works hard, his family will be content. The sheep and goats will grow well. And the farmer will make a profit from his animals. The farmer will also obtain clothes and milk from his animals. The farmer will receive a good income. The farmer will live well. And his family will live well. Even his servant girls will enjoy their lives, because the farmer is responsible.
These verses teach us several lessons:
• Do not only aim to make money (verse 24).
• God created the seasons of the year. So plan your work at the right time of year (verse 25).
• Use wisely the things that God has created. Then God will supply the things that you need (verses 26-27).
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:17-27
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(Continued)
v17 You use an iron tool to make another iron tool sharper.
So one man improves another.
v18 The man that looks after a fruit tree will eat the fruit.
The servant who looks after his master will receive his reward.
v19 As water reflects a face,
so a man’s thoughts show his character.
v20 Death and hell always claim more lives.
And nothing can satisfy a man’s desire.
v21 Test silver with heat!
Test gold with fire!
If you praise a man, then you will test him.
v22 You can strike a fool as hard as you strike grain.
But he will still be a fool.
v23 Look after your animals!
Be careful on your farm.
v24 Wealth does not last.
Even a king’s family can lose their land.
v25 Store the hay! New grass will grow.
Gather grass from the hills.
v26 The wool of sheep will be your clothing.
The profit from your goats will provide the rent for your fields.
v27 You will have plenty of goat’s milk.
The milk will feed you and your family.
And the milk will provide for your servant girls.
Comment:
Verse 17 - Friendship is good. Friends should encourage each other. They should help each other. And they should teach each other about God. In the Bible, Jonathan and David were special friends. See 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-6; 20:1-42; 23:16.
Verse 18 - A good farmer deserves his harvest. And a good servant deserves a reward. His master should pay this servant well.
Verse 19 - We see our own good and bad qualities when we notice the same qualities in other people.
Verse 20 - Nothing satisfies a man’s desires. And nothing can satisfy death and hell. Only Jesus can completely satisfy human desires (John 4:13-14).
But as Christians, we must learn to be content. See Philippians 4:11-13.
Verse 21 - You can find out whether gold is real in a fire. Gold does not burn. And silver does not burn.
And you can test a man’s attitudes. Some people are proud if you praise them. Some people are foolish if you praise them. And humble people will still be humble, even if you praise them.
Verse 22 - You strike grain to make flour. A fool is an evil person who hates wisdom. A judge might order a cruel punishment for an evil person. But an evil person will learn nothing, even if you strike him many times. After his punishment, that evil man will still be evil. He will learn nothing from his punishment.
Verses 23-27 - Solomon is describing a farm. He warns the farmer to be responsible. If the farmer does not work, he could lose his land. But if the farmer works hard, his family will be content. The sheep and goats will grow well. And the farmer will make a profit from his animals. The farmer will also obtain clothes and milk from his animals. The farmer will receive a good income. The farmer will live well. And his family will live well. Even his servant girls will enjoy their lives, because the farmer is responsible.
These verses teach us several lessons:
• Do not only aim to make money (verse 24).
• God created the seasons of the year. So plan your work at the right time of year (verse 25).
• Use wisely the things that God has created. Then God will supply the things that you need (verses 26-27).
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 27:8-16
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:8-16
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v8 A man away from home is like a mother bird away from her nest.
v9 A beautiful smell causes joy.
And a friend causes joy, if he advises well.
v10 Do not forget your friend!
Do not forget your father’s friend!
When you are in trouble, do not go to your brother!
A near neighbor is better than a distant brother.
v11 My son, be wise!
I shall be glad if you are wise.
And I shall be able to answer my enemy.
v12 When a wise man sees danger, he stays in a safe place.
But simple people do nothing, so they suffer.
v13 If a man promises to pay a foreigner’s debt, then take his coat.
If he promises on behalf of a foreign woman, then keep his coat! Otherwise, he may never pay.
v14 A man shouts a greeting and wakes his neighbor very early in the morning.
But his angry neighbor will consider that the man is a great nuisance.
v15 A wife who argues sounds like constant rainfall.
v16 You cannot stop the wind.
You cannot grasp oil in your hand.
And you cannot stop this wife’s constant arguments.
Comment:
Verse 8 - A mother bird that wanders from her nest cannot look after her young birds. And a man who leaves his home cannot look after a family. That man may have no children. But if he has children, he cannot teach them to be wise. Such a man cannot establish a strong family.
Verse 9 - We like to smell flowers. We like to smell good food. And many other smells give joy to us. These smells are beautiful.
And we have great joy when our friends help us. We are glad when their advice is good.
Verse 10 - Some young people will not ask older people to help them. But often, a family friend is more willing to help than your own friends. Your father’s friend used to help your father, and perhaps your father’s friend would like to help you now. Older people have plenty of experience, and their advice is often wise. When you have troubles, such people may be better helpers than even a brother.
Verse 11 - A father is responsible for his son’s good behavior. If the boy develops well, his character is proof of the father’s success.
Verse 12 - See Proverbs 22:3.
Verse 13 - See Proverbs 20:16.
Verse 14 - Solomon uses humor here. This stupid man will waken his neighbor. The man wanted to show how cheerful he was. But the neighbor will still be angry.
We must think about the probable results of our actions. And we should not waken our neighbors.
Verses 15-16 - Wives should try not to upset their husbands. Some wives are always arguing. But a good wife is calm. She gently teaches her husband when he is wrong. And she works hard, so that he is content. See Proverbs 31:10-31.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:8-16
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v8 A man away from home is like a mother bird away from her nest.
v9 A beautiful smell causes joy.
And a friend causes joy, if he advises well.
v10 Do not forget your friend!
Do not forget your father’s friend!
When you are in trouble, do not go to your brother!
A near neighbor is better than a distant brother.
v11 My son, be wise!
I shall be glad if you are wise.
And I shall be able to answer my enemy.
v12 When a wise man sees danger, he stays in a safe place.
But simple people do nothing, so they suffer.
v13 If a man promises to pay a foreigner’s debt, then take his coat.
If he promises on behalf of a foreign woman, then keep his coat! Otherwise, he may never pay.
v14 A man shouts a greeting and wakes his neighbor very early in the morning.
But his angry neighbor will consider that the man is a great nuisance.
v15 A wife who argues sounds like constant rainfall.
v16 You cannot stop the wind.
You cannot grasp oil in your hand.
And you cannot stop this wife’s constant arguments.
Comment:
Verse 8 - A mother bird that wanders from her nest cannot look after her young birds. And a man who leaves his home cannot look after a family. That man may have no children. But if he has children, he cannot teach them to be wise. Such a man cannot establish a strong family.
Verse 9 - We like to smell flowers. We like to smell good food. And many other smells give joy to us. These smells are beautiful.
And we have great joy when our friends help us. We are glad when their advice is good.
Verse 10 - Some young people will not ask older people to help them. But often, a family friend is more willing to help than your own friends. Your father’s friend used to help your father, and perhaps your father’s friend would like to help you now. Older people have plenty of experience, and their advice is often wise. When you have troubles, such people may be better helpers than even a brother.
Verse 11 - A father is responsible for his son’s good behavior. If the boy develops well, his character is proof of the father’s success.
Verse 12 - See Proverbs 22:3.
Verse 13 - See Proverbs 20:16.
Verse 14 - Solomon uses humor here. This stupid man will waken his neighbor. The man wanted to show how cheerful he was. But the neighbor will still be angry.
We must think about the probable results of our actions. And we should not waken our neighbors.
Verses 15-16 - Wives should try not to upset their husbands. Some wives are always arguing. But a good wife is calm. She gently teaches her husband when he is wrong. And she works hard, so that he is content. See Proverbs 31:10-31.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 27:1-7
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:1-7
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Do not become proud about your plans for tomorrow.
You do not know what will happen tomorrow.
v2 Do not praise yourself!
Let someone else praise you, if you deserve it.
v3 Stones are heavy. Sand is heavy.
But a fool’s anger causes more strain than a heavy weight.
v4 Anger is cruel. It is like a flood.
But a jealous person is in a worse state.
v5 A friend’s word of correction is better than love that is secret.
v6 Do not trust the soft kisses of an enemy.
But a good friend will tell you the truth.
v7 When someone has eaten too much, he will not even eat honey.
But a hungry man thinks that even bitter foods taste good.
Comment:
Verse 1 - See James 4:13-17 and Luke 12:16-21. God controls your life. You could die tomorrow. So trust God about the future. And be ready to meet God (Amos 4:12).
Verse 2 - Do not say that you are important! Be humble! Jesus said, ‘If someone wants to become great, he should become a servant. And if someone wants to be your leader, he should become a slave. I did not come as a king. I came as a servant. And I will die so that God will forgive many people.’ (Mark 10:43-45)
Verse 3 - The anger of the fool (evil person) causes great strain. But a good person should not be angry. See Ephesians 4:31. Instead, a good person should forgive other people’s errors. (Ephesians 4:32)
Verse 4 - Anger is terrible. But, like the flood, the anger will soon end. The waters of a flood will soon go away. And an angry man will soon become calm again.
But a jealous person is in a worse state. This feeling will not end quickly. Instead, it will continue to cause trouble for a long time. See Deuteronomy 5:21.
Verses 5-6 - A word of correction might be unpleasant. You do not want your friend to see your error. And you may not want your friend to talk about such matters. But he warns you because you are wrong. He speaks the truth to you because he wants to help you. He does these things because he loves you. See also my note on Proverbs 24:26.
But your enemy does not love you. Even his kiss has an evil reason. See Mark 14:44-46.
Verse 7 - Our reactions depend on our circumstances.
A rich man cannot recognize the best foods. He has eaten too much. So he cannot even enjoy honey.
But a very poor man will not even see good food. He is glad to have anything to eat.
The rich man has a huge meal, but he does not enjoy it. The poor man has a tiny meal. But he is hungry and his meal tastes good. Sometimes a poor person enjoys life more than a rich person. But both men can have a better life if the rich man is generous.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 27:1-7
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Do not become proud about your plans for tomorrow.
You do not know what will happen tomorrow.
v2 Do not praise yourself!
Let someone else praise you, if you deserve it.
v3 Stones are heavy. Sand is heavy.
But a fool’s anger causes more strain than a heavy weight.
v4 Anger is cruel. It is like a flood.
But a jealous person is in a worse state.
v5 A friend’s word of correction is better than love that is secret.
v6 Do not trust the soft kisses of an enemy.
But a good friend will tell you the truth.
v7 When someone has eaten too much, he will not even eat honey.
But a hungry man thinks that even bitter foods taste good.
Comment:
Verse 1 - See James 4:13-17 and Luke 12:16-21. God controls your life. You could die tomorrow. So trust God about the future. And be ready to meet God (Amos 4:12).
Verse 2 - Do not say that you are important! Be humble! Jesus said, ‘If someone wants to become great, he should become a servant. And if someone wants to be your leader, he should become a slave. I did not come as a king. I came as a servant. And I will die so that God will forgive many people.’ (Mark 10:43-45)
Verse 3 - The anger of the fool (evil person) causes great strain. But a good person should not be angry. See Ephesians 4:31. Instead, a good person should forgive other people’s errors. (Ephesians 4:32)
Verse 4 - Anger is terrible. But, like the flood, the anger will soon end. The waters of a flood will soon go away. And an angry man will soon become calm again.
But a jealous person is in a worse state. This feeling will not end quickly. Instead, it will continue to cause trouble for a long time. See Deuteronomy 5:21.
Verses 5-6 - A word of correction might be unpleasant. You do not want your friend to see your error. And you may not want your friend to talk about such matters. But he warns you because you are wrong. He speaks the truth to you because he wants to help you. He does these things because he loves you. See also my note on Proverbs 24:26.
But your enemy does not love you. Even his kiss has an evil reason. See Mark 14:44-46.
Verse 7 - Our reactions depend on our circumstances.
A rich man cannot recognize the best foods. He has eaten too much. So he cannot even enjoy honey.
But a very poor man will not even see good food. He is glad to have anything to eat.
The rich man has a huge meal, but he does not enjoy it. The poor man has a tiny meal. But he is hungry and his meal tastes good. Sometimes a poor person enjoys life more than a rich person. But both men can have a better life if the rich man is generous.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Friday, December 15, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 26:21-28
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:21-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v21 Wood starts a fire.
A man who disagrees starts an argument.
v22 When someone gossips, his words are like a favorite food.
The words, like the food, enter right into a man.
v23 A cheap pot might have a silky surface.
And an evil man might speak well.
v24 A cruel man uses his clever words to hide his true thoughts.
But there are evil ideas in his mind.
v25 His words may be beautiful, but do not believe him!
In his mind, he has 7 evil plans.
v26 His evil plans might be secret.
But soon everyone will discover that he is wicked. And the court will punish him.
v27 One man digs a hole (because he wants to hurt someone else). But that man will fall into his own hole.
Another man rolls a stone. But that stone will roll back over him.
v28 A man who lies hurts other people. He hates them.
Another man pretends that someone else is great. He causes trouble.
Comment:
Verse 21 - You need wood to start a fire. A man who disagrees is like the wood. He can start a terrible argument.
But we cannot always agree with everyone. And we cannot avoid every argument. But we should think before we speak. If we say nothing, we might avoid the argument.
Verse 22 - This verse is the same as Proverbs 18:8.
Solomon uses humor here. When someone gossips, their words are like a special food. People enjoy it when someone gossips.
Food enters the stomach. And when someone gossips, their stories enter the mind. People remember the stories. And they repeat the stories. So they gossip too. Soon many people will hear the stories, even if the stories are not true.
When someone gossips, their words cause many problems. We should learn not to gossip.
Verse 23 - You cannot believe everything that you see. Some pots seem silky on the outside. But they are just cheap pots.
You cannot believe everything that you hear. Some evil men speak clever words. But they are still evil men. You must not trust them
Verses 24-26 - Here is an evil man who speaks clever words. And some people think that his words are wonderful. They do not realize that his plans are evil. They do not know his evil ideas. And if they trust him, they will suffer.
Soon everyone will know the man’s evil scheme. And a judge will punish that man.
Verse 27 - These men wanted to cause trouble for other people. But in fact, these men suffered because of their own cruel actions. Everything that went wrong in their lives was their own fault.
It is never good to hate other people. We should never try to cause trouble. If we do, we shall cause trouble in our own lives.
Verse 28 - Both men cause trouble because their words are not sincere.
When the first man lies, the people believe him. Then they do the wrong thing, because of the lie.
The second person pretends that someone else is great. He does this because he wants a gift from that person. These words also cause trouble.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:21-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v21 Wood starts a fire.
A man who disagrees starts an argument.
v22 When someone gossips, his words are like a favorite food.
The words, like the food, enter right into a man.
v23 A cheap pot might have a silky surface.
And an evil man might speak well.
v24 A cruel man uses his clever words to hide his true thoughts.
But there are evil ideas in his mind.
v25 His words may be beautiful, but do not believe him!
In his mind, he has 7 evil plans.
v26 His evil plans might be secret.
But soon everyone will discover that he is wicked. And the court will punish him.
v27 One man digs a hole (because he wants to hurt someone else). But that man will fall into his own hole.
Another man rolls a stone. But that stone will roll back over him.
v28 A man who lies hurts other people. He hates them.
Another man pretends that someone else is great. He causes trouble.
Comment:
Verse 21 - You need wood to start a fire. A man who disagrees is like the wood. He can start a terrible argument.
But we cannot always agree with everyone. And we cannot avoid every argument. But we should think before we speak. If we say nothing, we might avoid the argument.
Verse 22 - This verse is the same as Proverbs 18:8.
Solomon uses humor here. When someone gossips, their words are like a special food. People enjoy it when someone gossips.
Food enters the stomach. And when someone gossips, their stories enter the mind. People remember the stories. And they repeat the stories. So they gossip too. Soon many people will hear the stories, even if the stories are not true.
When someone gossips, their words cause many problems. We should learn not to gossip.
Verse 23 - You cannot believe everything that you see. Some pots seem silky on the outside. But they are just cheap pots.
You cannot believe everything that you hear. Some evil men speak clever words. But they are still evil men. You must not trust them
Verses 24-26 - Here is an evil man who speaks clever words. And some people think that his words are wonderful. They do not realize that his plans are evil. They do not know his evil ideas. And if they trust him, they will suffer.
Soon everyone will know the man’s evil scheme. And a judge will punish that man.
Verse 27 - These men wanted to cause trouble for other people. But in fact, these men suffered because of their own cruel actions. Everything that went wrong in their lives was their own fault.
It is never good to hate other people. We should never try to cause trouble. If we do, we shall cause trouble in our own lives.
Verse 28 - Both men cause trouble because their words are not sincere.
When the first man lies, the people believe him. Then they do the wrong thing, because of the lie.
The second person pretends that someone else is great. He does this because he wants a gift from that person. These words also cause trouble.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 26:13-20
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:13-20
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v13 The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion outside!
The lion is angry. And the lion is on the streets!’
v14 A door opens. It moves, but it never goes anywhere.
The door is like a lazy man on his bed. He might move. But he will not go anywhere.
v15 When a lazy man has a meal, he puts his hand into the bowl.
Then he is too lazy to lift his hand to his mouth.
v16 A lazy man thinks that he is very wise.
He thinks that he is wiser than 7 intelligent men!
v17 Do not grasp a dog’s ears!
And do not interrupt when other people argue!
v18 A mad man shoots burning arrows.
v19 Another man lies. Then he says, ‘I was joking!’
v20 Without fuel, there is no fire.
If nobody gossips, there is no argument.
Comment:
Verse 13 - Solomon uses humor whenever he discusses a lazy man. The lazy man has his excuse. And perhaps there is a lion. But we know that, really, this man is lazy. He only wants an excuse not to work.
Verse 14 - This man is very lazy. He is still in his bed. He might turn. He might even move. But he will not get up. He is too lazy.
So Solomon says, this man is like a door. The door moves. But it is still in its doorway. The door never goes anywhere.
Verse 15 - Now, the lazy man has a meal. He is lazy. But he knows how to take things. And lazy people often take things from other people. For example, a lazy person might ask for a gift. But the lazy person does not know how to enjoy these things. And he does not know how to use them. The lazy man takes the food. But he is too lazy to eat it.
Verse 16 - This lazy man is like the man in verse 12. Both men think that they are wise. But the lazy man thinks that he is the wisest of all men. The lazy man thinks this because he refuses to work. But he is not clever when he avoids a task. The lazy man may become poor. He may suffer for his attitude. He might even starve.
The lazy man ought to work. He should learn a skill. Then people will respect him. Then he will deserve honor.
Verse 17 - A dog is angry if you grasp its ears. It will bite you.
Some people are angry if someone interrupts their argument. Perhaps that person wants to help. Perhaps he supposes that he can help them to be calm. But when he interrupts, he will have to deal with their anger too.
Verses 18-19 - Everyone can see that this mad man is dangerous. But the other man is also dangerous. His lie caused trouble. Then he claims that the lie was just a joke. So his humor caused trouble for everyone.
Verse 20 - A fire will not burn without fuel. When someone gossips, their words are like fuel. And an argument is like fire. So, if people do not gossip, they avoid arguments. We should learn to be careful with our words. See James 3.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:13-20
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v13 The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion outside!
The lion is angry. And the lion is on the streets!’
v14 A door opens. It moves, but it never goes anywhere.
The door is like a lazy man on his bed. He might move. But he will not go anywhere.
v15 When a lazy man has a meal, he puts his hand into the bowl.
Then he is too lazy to lift his hand to his mouth.
v16 A lazy man thinks that he is very wise.
He thinks that he is wiser than 7 intelligent men!
v17 Do not grasp a dog’s ears!
And do not interrupt when other people argue!
v18 A mad man shoots burning arrows.
v19 Another man lies. Then he says, ‘I was joking!’
v20 Without fuel, there is no fire.
If nobody gossips, there is no argument.
Comment:
Verse 13 - Solomon uses humor whenever he discusses a lazy man. The lazy man has his excuse. And perhaps there is a lion. But we know that, really, this man is lazy. He only wants an excuse not to work.
Verse 14 - This man is very lazy. He is still in his bed. He might turn. He might even move. But he will not get up. He is too lazy.
So Solomon says, this man is like a door. The door moves. But it is still in its doorway. The door never goes anywhere.
Verse 15 - Now, the lazy man has a meal. He is lazy. But he knows how to take things. And lazy people often take things from other people. For example, a lazy person might ask for a gift. But the lazy person does not know how to enjoy these things. And he does not know how to use them. The lazy man takes the food. But he is too lazy to eat it.
Verse 16 - This lazy man is like the man in verse 12. Both men think that they are wise. But the lazy man thinks that he is the wisest of all men. The lazy man thinks this because he refuses to work. But he is not clever when he avoids a task. The lazy man may become poor. He may suffer for his attitude. He might even starve.
The lazy man ought to work. He should learn a skill. Then people will respect him. Then he will deserve honor.
Verse 17 - A dog is angry if you grasp its ears. It will bite you.
Some people are angry if someone interrupts their argument. Perhaps that person wants to help. Perhaps he supposes that he can help them to be calm. But when he interrupts, he will have to deal with their anger too.
Verses 18-19 - Everyone can see that this mad man is dangerous. But the other man is also dangerous. His lie caused trouble. Then he claims that the lie was just a joke. So his humor caused trouble for everyone.
Verse 20 - A fire will not burn without fuel. When someone gossips, their words are like fuel. And an argument is like fire. So, if people do not gossip, they avoid arguments. We should learn to be careful with our words. See James 3.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 26:7-12
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:7-12
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v7 If a man cannot walk, his legs hang down.
The man has legs, but they do not help him.
And when a fool speaks a proverb (wise words), these words do not help the fool.
v8 Someone might tie up a stone in cloth.
(Then, he cannot attack when he needs to throw the stone.)
Another person might give an honor to a fool.
v9 A drunk carries a thorn bush.
(A thorn bush is a weed with sharp points, which will cause the drunk to bleed.)
And when a fool speaks a proverb (wise words), these words cause pain.
v10 One man shoots arrows everywhere!
And another man employs someone that he does not know.
This man would even employ a fool.
v11 A dog returns to the place where the dog was sick.
And a fool repeats his foolish behavior.
v12 A man thinks that he is wise.
Even a fool has more hope than that man!
Comment:
Verse 7 - A fool might repeat a proverb (wise words). But a fool is stupid, so he does not understand the proverb. He says the right words, but he is still stupid. If he understood the words, the fool would stop his silly behavior. But he refuses to do this. So his proverb cannot help him.
Even the devil can repeat a Bible verse (Matthew 4:6 and Psalm 91:11-12). But the devil did not understand the verse. He tried to use the verse to test Jesus. But Jesus told the devil that the devil was wrong (Matthew 4:7).
Verse 8 - Solomon’s father was David. David used a stone from a bag to kill his enemy, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40). But David did not tie the stone to the bag. This action would be stupid. This action would waste both the stone and the bag.
And only a stupid person gives honor to a fool. A fool is an evil person who hates wise words. A fool does not deserve any honors. The person who gave the honor wasted his time.
Verse 9 - This drunk carries a thorn bush. (A thorn bush is a weed with sharp points.) The drunk will hurt himself. And he might hurt other people.
This fool speaks a proverb (wise words). But he is a fool. So he is evil, and he hates wise words. He repeats the proverb as an evil scheme. He wants people to think that he is wise. And he wants people to trust him. The fool will hurt people with his proverb.
Verse 10 - The man who shoots arrows everywhere is clearly dangerous. But the employer might not seem to be dangerous. In fact, this employer is also dangerous. He would even employ a fool. The fool is an evil man. He might steal from his employer. And the fool might cause many troubles. The employer will suffer because of the fool’s evil schemes.
Verse 11 - You cannot cure a fool. A fool is an evil person. He will repeat his evil behavior. This is terrible. You cannot change this man. Only God can stop the fool’s evil behavior.
A fool is not like a simple person. A simple person is someone who has not learned to be wise. But you can teach a simple person to do the right things.
Verse 12 - Solomon thinks that this man is even worse than a fool. (But perhaps Solomon uses humor here.)
This man imagines that he is wise. But he is not wise. He thinks that his advice is good. But his advice is wrong. He tries to help everyone. But really, he causes problems for them.
We must be very careful when we advise. We must study well. We must listen to other people. And then we shall not copy this man’s errors.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:7-12
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v7 If a man cannot walk, his legs hang down.
The man has legs, but they do not help him.
And when a fool speaks a proverb (wise words), these words do not help the fool.
v8 Someone might tie up a stone in cloth.
(Then, he cannot attack when he needs to throw the stone.)
Another person might give an honor to a fool.
v9 A drunk carries a thorn bush.
(A thorn bush is a weed with sharp points, which will cause the drunk to bleed.)
And when a fool speaks a proverb (wise words), these words cause pain.
v10 One man shoots arrows everywhere!
And another man employs someone that he does not know.
This man would even employ a fool.
v11 A dog returns to the place where the dog was sick.
And a fool repeats his foolish behavior.
v12 A man thinks that he is wise.
Even a fool has more hope than that man!
Comment:
Verse 7 - A fool might repeat a proverb (wise words). But a fool is stupid, so he does not understand the proverb. He says the right words, but he is still stupid. If he understood the words, the fool would stop his silly behavior. But he refuses to do this. So his proverb cannot help him.
Even the devil can repeat a Bible verse (Matthew 4:6 and Psalm 91:11-12). But the devil did not understand the verse. He tried to use the verse to test Jesus. But Jesus told the devil that the devil was wrong (Matthew 4:7).
Verse 8 - Solomon’s father was David. David used a stone from a bag to kill his enemy, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40). But David did not tie the stone to the bag. This action would be stupid. This action would waste both the stone and the bag.
And only a stupid person gives honor to a fool. A fool is an evil person who hates wise words. A fool does not deserve any honors. The person who gave the honor wasted his time.
Verse 9 - This drunk carries a thorn bush. (A thorn bush is a weed with sharp points.) The drunk will hurt himself. And he might hurt other people.
This fool speaks a proverb (wise words). But he is a fool. So he is evil, and he hates wise words. He repeats the proverb as an evil scheme. He wants people to think that he is wise. And he wants people to trust him. The fool will hurt people with his proverb.
Verse 10 - The man who shoots arrows everywhere is clearly dangerous. But the employer might not seem to be dangerous. In fact, this employer is also dangerous. He would even employ a fool. The fool is an evil man. He might steal from his employer. And the fool might cause many troubles. The employer will suffer because of the fool’s evil schemes.
Verse 11 - You cannot cure a fool. A fool is an evil person. He will repeat his evil behavior. This is terrible. You cannot change this man. Only God can stop the fool’s evil behavior.
A fool is not like a simple person. A simple person is someone who has not learned to be wise. But you can teach a simple person to do the right things.
Verse 12 - Solomon thinks that this man is even worse than a fool. (But perhaps Solomon uses humor here.)
This man imagines that he is wise. But he is not wise. He thinks that his advice is good. But his advice is wrong. He tries to help everyone. But really, he causes problems for them.
We must be very careful when we advise. We must study well. We must listen to other people. And then we shall not copy this man’s errors.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 26:1-6
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:1-6
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Snow should not fall in summer.
Rain should not fall during the harvest.
And a fool should not receive honor.
v2 A bird does not stop as it flies.
And the effects of an insult do not pause.
Instead, the insult continues to cause trouble.
v3 Whip the horse!
Control the animal!
Punish the fool!
v4 Do not answer a fool with foolish words!
You will become like him.
v5 Answer a fool with foolish words!
Otherwise, he will think that he is wise.
v6 Someone might cut off his own feet.
Or he might cause himself an injury.
Another person might send a fool with a message.
Comment:
These verses all describe a fool. Solomon uses the word ‘fool’ to describe someone who hates wisdom.
Verse 1 - We all know the seasons in our own countries. We know when to expect rain or snow. We know what should happen.
And we know the reaction that an evil man deserves. A fool is an evil man who hates wisdom. And he does not deserve any honor.
Verse 2 - A flying bird does not pause. It continues to fly. Otherwise, it would fall. An insult is like the bird, because an insult continues to cause trouble. Perhaps the insult was only one word. Perhaps you spoke that word many months ago. But the insult upset your friend. And he is still unhappy.
You ought to go to your friend. Ask him to forgive you. Otherwise, your stupid insult will continue to cause trouble.
Verse 3 - When a horse pulls a cart, the driver whips the horse. This is because the driver needs to control the animal.
A fool is an evil man. He refuses to listen to wise advice. If you are a judge, then you must punish this evil man. Unless someone controls an evil person, that person will continue his evil behavior.
Verses 4-5 - The fool is an evil man who hates your wise words. Solomon uses humor here, because verse 4 is the opposite of verse 5. But both verses are correct.
Verse 4 The fool hates wisdom. So his words are foolish. You do not want to be foolish. So do not answer him with foolish words!
Verse 5 Do not answer a fool with sensible words! Do not allow him to think that he is wise! He deserves only a stupid answer. So answer him with foolish words!
The truth is that this evil person will not obey good advice. He does not care whether your words are sensible or foolish. He will even use your own words against you. This man is very evil. Perhaps you should say nothing to him (Matthew 27:12-14). Or perhaps God will help you to know the right words (Matthew 13:11).
Verse 6 - The person who causes his own injury is stupid. But the person who sends a fool is also stupid. A fool will not do the right things. Perhaps he will not deliver the message. Perhaps he will change the words. Perhaps he will deliver an enemy’s message instead.
If you send a fool with your message, then you will suffer.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 26:1-6
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Snow should not fall in summer.
Rain should not fall during the harvest.
And a fool should not receive honor.
v2 A bird does not stop as it flies.
And the effects of an insult do not pause.
Instead, the insult continues to cause trouble.
v3 Whip the horse!
Control the animal!
Punish the fool!
v4 Do not answer a fool with foolish words!
You will become like him.
v5 Answer a fool with foolish words!
Otherwise, he will think that he is wise.
v6 Someone might cut off his own feet.
Or he might cause himself an injury.
Another person might send a fool with a message.
Comment:
These verses all describe a fool. Solomon uses the word ‘fool’ to describe someone who hates wisdom.
Verse 1 - We all know the seasons in our own countries. We know when to expect rain or snow. We know what should happen.
And we know the reaction that an evil man deserves. A fool is an evil man who hates wisdom. And he does not deserve any honor.
Verse 2 - A flying bird does not pause. It continues to fly. Otherwise, it would fall. An insult is like the bird, because an insult continues to cause trouble. Perhaps the insult was only one word. Perhaps you spoke that word many months ago. But the insult upset your friend. And he is still unhappy.
You ought to go to your friend. Ask him to forgive you. Otherwise, your stupid insult will continue to cause trouble.
Verse 3 - When a horse pulls a cart, the driver whips the horse. This is because the driver needs to control the animal.
A fool is an evil man. He refuses to listen to wise advice. If you are a judge, then you must punish this evil man. Unless someone controls an evil person, that person will continue his evil behavior.
Verses 4-5 - The fool is an evil man who hates your wise words. Solomon uses humor here, because verse 4 is the opposite of verse 5. But both verses are correct.
Verse 4 The fool hates wisdom. So his words are foolish. You do not want to be foolish. So do not answer him with foolish words!
Verse 5 Do not answer a fool with sensible words! Do not allow him to think that he is wise! He deserves only a stupid answer. So answer him with foolish words!
The truth is that this evil person will not obey good advice. He does not care whether your words are sensible or foolish. He will even use your own words against you. This man is very evil. Perhaps you should say nothing to him (Matthew 27:12-14). Or perhaps God will help you to know the right words (Matthew 13:11).
Verse 6 - The person who causes his own injury is stupid. But the person who sends a fool is also stupid. A fool will not do the right things. Perhaps he will not deliver the message. Perhaps he will change the words. Perhaps he will deliver an enemy’s message instead.
If you send a fool with your message, then you will suffer.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Monday, December 11, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 25:23-28
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:23-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v23 The wind brings rain.
A secret whisper brings an angry reaction.
v24 One man lives on the corner of his roof.
His life is better than the man who lives with an arguing wife.
v25 Good news from abroad is like a cool drink.
Both comfort a tired person.
v26 Muddy water is more useful than the good man who supports a wicked man’s plan.
v27 Too much honey is not a good meal.
And a man, who tries to be great, is not a great man.
v28 A man who has no discipline is like a city without walls.
Comment:
Verse 23 - Perhaps you do not want a friend to hear your words. So you whisper. Your friend might not hear your actual words. But he knows that you are whispering. So your friend guesses that your words are not good. Or he guesses that you are gossiping. And he is angry.
If you whisper about another person, someone else may repeat your words to that person. Then you can expect an angry reaction from that person. As the wind brings rain, your whisper will cause this angry reaction.
Verse 24 - If your husband or wife always argues, life is hard. This man has escaped. He has gone to his roof, to avoid the argument.
We should try not to argue. Forgive other people’s errors! Learn to be calm! Do not be like this man’s wife who continues to argue.
Verse 25 - We wait for news about our friends and relatives. They may be distant, but we still care about them. And we are glad to hear their good news. We ourselves may have many troubles. But their good news comforts us.
Verse 26 - This is terrible. This good man is helping a wicked man with an evil plan. The good man is not trying to do evil things. But he has not realized that he must oppose the plan. He has not realized the evil effects of the wicked man’s plan. He did not know that a wicked man’s plans are always evil.
You should not drink muddy water. It is not safe. But even muddy water is more useful than that good man. The good man ought to be useful. So he ought to oppose the evil plan.
Verse 27 - You might like honey. But you cannot eat only honey. So you make a mistake if there is too much honey in your meal.
This man also has made a mistake. He wants to be a great man. So he pretends that he is already a great man. But he is not a great man. Instead, he is stupid.
This man ought to be humble. Then other people will decide whether the man is really great.
Verse 28 - When Solomon’s workmen built a city, they built strong walls round that city (1 Kings 9:15-19). The walls were important defenses. They protected the city from attack.
We ought to learn discipline. Discipline is like the city walls, because discipline makes us strong. We may have many problems. But we shall act wisely if we have discipline.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:23-28
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v23 The wind brings rain.
A secret whisper brings an angry reaction.
v24 One man lives on the corner of his roof.
His life is better than the man who lives with an arguing wife.
v25 Good news from abroad is like a cool drink.
Both comfort a tired person.
v26 Muddy water is more useful than the good man who supports a wicked man’s plan.
v27 Too much honey is not a good meal.
And a man, who tries to be great, is not a great man.
v28 A man who has no discipline is like a city without walls.
Comment:
Verse 23 - Perhaps you do not want a friend to hear your words. So you whisper. Your friend might not hear your actual words. But he knows that you are whispering. So your friend guesses that your words are not good. Or he guesses that you are gossiping. And he is angry.
If you whisper about another person, someone else may repeat your words to that person. Then you can expect an angry reaction from that person. As the wind brings rain, your whisper will cause this angry reaction.
Verse 24 - If your husband or wife always argues, life is hard. This man has escaped. He has gone to his roof, to avoid the argument.
We should try not to argue. Forgive other people’s errors! Learn to be calm! Do not be like this man’s wife who continues to argue.
Verse 25 - We wait for news about our friends and relatives. They may be distant, but we still care about them. And we are glad to hear their good news. We ourselves may have many troubles. But their good news comforts us.
Verse 26 - This is terrible. This good man is helping a wicked man with an evil plan. The good man is not trying to do evil things. But he has not realized that he must oppose the plan. He has not realized the evil effects of the wicked man’s plan. He did not know that a wicked man’s plans are always evil.
You should not drink muddy water. It is not safe. But even muddy water is more useful than that good man. The good man ought to be useful. So he ought to oppose the evil plan.
Verse 27 - You might like honey. But you cannot eat only honey. So you make a mistake if there is too much honey in your meal.
This man also has made a mistake. He wants to be a great man. So he pretends that he is already a great man. But he is not a great man. Instead, he is stupid.
This man ought to be humble. Then other people will decide whether the man is really great.
Verse 28 - When Solomon’s workmen built a city, they built strong walls round that city (1 Kings 9:15-19). The walls were important defenses. They protected the city from attack.
We ought to learn discipline. Discipline is like the city walls, because discipline makes us strong. We may have many problems. But we shall act wisely if we have discipline.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 25:16-22
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:16-22
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v16 If you eat too much honey, then you will be sick.
v17 If you visit your neighbor too often, then he will hate you.
v18 Some people use a whip, a sword, or an arrow.
Other people lie about their neighbor.
v19 Some people have a bad tooth or a bad foot.
Other people trust a fool when they are in trouble.
v20 Some people will steal a coat on a cold day. Or, they will pour acid on soap.
Other people sing when someone is sad.
v21 If your enemy is hungry, then give food to him.
If your enemy needs a drink, then give water to him.
v22 He will feel as if burning coal is on his head.
But God will reward you.
Comment:
Verses 16-17 - Honey is good. But too much honey will make you sick.
Friendship is good. And visits to your neighbor are good. But you must be careful. Your neighbor needs to meet other people. And your neighbor needs to do other things. If you visit your neighbor too often, then you will upset your neighbor.
We must learn how to control our own behavior.
Verse 18 - There are many cruel people who want to attack their neighbor. They could hurt their neighbor with a whip. Or they might use a sword.
But you can also hurt your neighbor if you lie about him. You might argue, ‘My lie is merely words. Words do not hurt.’ But your neighbor will suffer because of your evil words (Exodus 20:16).
Verse 19 - A bad tooth causes pain. And it continues to cause pain. A fool is an evil man who hates wisdom. You cannot trust this evil man. He will not help you when you are in trouble. Instead, he will cause you to suffer. His advice will be evil. And his actions will be evil. So you will continue to suffer.
Verse 20 - These people are all cruel.
If someone steals a coat on a cold day, then that thief is very cruel. If someone pours acid on soap, that person is cruel. He spoils the soap. Now, nobody can use the soap.
A singer might not seem cruel. But this singer is cruel also.
Someone is sad. But this singer is happy. The singer does not think about the sad man. And the singer does not try to help the sad man. Instead, the singer continues to sing. And this upsets the sad man. So the sad man becomes sadder. And the singer does not even realize that his actions are cruel.
Verses 21-22 - Do not attack your enemy! Do not fight him! Instead, trust God! God will protect you. Pray for your enemy! Love your enemy!
Jesus taught this lesson in Matthew 5:43-48. While Jesus was dying, he prayed for his enemies (Luke 23:34). And Jesus forgave a criminal who insulted him (Mark 15:32 and Luke 23:39-43).
Your enemy might be upset when you help him. He does not want to accept your kind gifts. He might continue to insult you. But God sees that your actions are right. And God will reward you.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:16-22
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v16 If you eat too much honey, then you will be sick.
v17 If you visit your neighbor too often, then he will hate you.
v18 Some people use a whip, a sword, or an arrow.
Other people lie about their neighbor.
v19 Some people have a bad tooth or a bad foot.
Other people trust a fool when they are in trouble.
v20 Some people will steal a coat on a cold day. Or, they will pour acid on soap.
Other people sing when someone is sad.
v21 If your enemy is hungry, then give food to him.
If your enemy needs a drink, then give water to him.
v22 He will feel as if burning coal is on his head.
But God will reward you.
Comment:
Verses 16-17 - Honey is good. But too much honey will make you sick.
Friendship is good. And visits to your neighbor are good. But you must be careful. Your neighbor needs to meet other people. And your neighbor needs to do other things. If you visit your neighbor too often, then you will upset your neighbor.
We must learn how to control our own behavior.
Verse 18 - There are many cruel people who want to attack their neighbor. They could hurt their neighbor with a whip. Or they might use a sword.
But you can also hurt your neighbor if you lie about him. You might argue, ‘My lie is merely words. Words do not hurt.’ But your neighbor will suffer because of your evil words (Exodus 20:16).
Verse 19 - A bad tooth causes pain. And it continues to cause pain. A fool is an evil man who hates wisdom. You cannot trust this evil man. He will not help you when you are in trouble. Instead, he will cause you to suffer. His advice will be evil. And his actions will be evil. So you will continue to suffer.
Verse 20 - These people are all cruel.
If someone steals a coat on a cold day, then that thief is very cruel. If someone pours acid on soap, that person is cruel. He spoils the soap. Now, nobody can use the soap.
A singer might not seem cruel. But this singer is cruel also.
Someone is sad. But this singer is happy. The singer does not think about the sad man. And the singer does not try to help the sad man. Instead, the singer continues to sing. And this upsets the sad man. So the sad man becomes sadder. And the singer does not even realize that his actions are cruel.
Verses 21-22 - Do not attack your enemy! Do not fight him! Instead, trust God! God will protect you. Pray for your enemy! Love your enemy!
Jesus taught this lesson in Matthew 5:43-48. While Jesus was dying, he prayed for his enemies (Luke 23:34). And Jesus forgave a criminal who insulted him (Mark 15:32 and Luke 23:39-43).
Your enemy might be upset when you help him. He does not want to accept your kind gifts. He might continue to insult you. But God sees that your actions are right. And God will reward you.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 25:8-15
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:8-15
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v8 When you see something, do not argue too quickly.
Perhaps you are wrong about your neighbor. Then you will be ashamed.
v9 Instead, discuss the matter with your neighbor himself.
Do not tell his secrets to other people.
v10 Otherwise, someone may hear, who can make you ashamed.
And everyone will blame you.
v11 The right words are like gold apples on a silver tray.
v12 A wise man corrects someone who listens.
The wise man’s words are beautiful and valuable, like gold.
v13 Choose a man whom you can trust to deliver your message.
He will please you. He is like cool snow during the harvest.
v14 Sometimes there are clouds and winds, but no rain falls.
And sometimes a man promises gifts, but he gives nothing.
v15 A patient man can convince a ruler.
A gentle word is like a hammer that can break a bone!
Comment:
Verses 8-10 - If you are unhappy with someone, you should discuss the matter with that person first. You should not gossip.
Verse 11 - We should always want to say the right words. The right words are beautiful, like gold. The right words are valuable, like silver. But the right words are also rare, like silver or gold. People do not often say the right words. Instead, they say the wrong words. For example, people speak their own ideas. Or they make evil plans. Or they gossip. Or they insult people. Or they lie, or they argue. And these words are the wrong words.
But the right words are wise. The right words teach us about God. The right words help us. They comfort us. Let us speak the right words!
Verse 12 - Many people do not like correction. These people do not want to know that their actions are wrong. But when someone accepts correction, that person is glad. That person is glad because he will not continue to do the wrong things. So that person praises the wise man.
The wise person has taught a beautiful lesson to the other person. And the other person thinks that the lesson was valuable, like gold.
Verse 13 - You can trust this man. He does the things that he promises. He will deliver your letter. And you will be as happy as a man who finds snow on a hot day.
As Christians, we should do the things that we have promised to do. Then other people will be able to trust us. And these people will learn from us that they can also trust God.
Verse 14 - Solomon lived in a dry country. His people needed rain for their crops. So the people were sad when the clouds did not bring rain.
This man behaved like these clouds. He did not do the things that he promised. His promises seemed genuine. But he never gave the gifts that he promised. He should not have promised these things.
Jesus said, ‘ “Yes” means “yes”. And “no” means “no”. Any other ideas are from the devil.’ (Matthew 5:37. See also James 5:12.)
Verse 15 - A patient person can achieve great things. His gentle words may not seem as impressive as other people’s words. But the patient person will continue until he succeeds. And, in the end, his gentle words are very powerful. See James 5:7-11.
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Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:8-15
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v8 When you see something, do not argue too quickly.
Perhaps you are wrong about your neighbor. Then you will be ashamed.
v9 Instead, discuss the matter with your neighbor himself.
Do not tell his secrets to other people.
v10 Otherwise, someone may hear, who can make you ashamed.
And everyone will blame you.
v11 The right words are like gold apples on a silver tray.
v12 A wise man corrects someone who listens.
The wise man’s words are beautiful and valuable, like gold.
v13 Choose a man whom you can trust to deliver your message.
He will please you. He is like cool snow during the harvest.
v14 Sometimes there are clouds and winds, but no rain falls.
And sometimes a man promises gifts, but he gives nothing.
v15 A patient man can convince a ruler.
A gentle word is like a hammer that can break a bone!
Comment:
Verses 8-10 - If you are unhappy with someone, you should discuss the matter with that person first. You should not gossip.
Verse 11 - We should always want to say the right words. The right words are beautiful, like gold. The right words are valuable, like silver. But the right words are also rare, like silver or gold. People do not often say the right words. Instead, they say the wrong words. For example, people speak their own ideas. Or they make evil plans. Or they gossip. Or they insult people. Or they lie, or they argue. And these words are the wrong words.
But the right words are wise. The right words teach us about God. The right words help us. They comfort us. Let us speak the right words!
Verse 12 - Many people do not like correction. These people do not want to know that their actions are wrong. But when someone accepts correction, that person is glad. That person is glad because he will not continue to do the wrong things. So that person praises the wise man.
The wise person has taught a beautiful lesson to the other person. And the other person thinks that the lesson was valuable, like gold.
Verse 13 - You can trust this man. He does the things that he promises. He will deliver your letter. And you will be as happy as a man who finds snow on a hot day.
As Christians, we should do the things that we have promised to do. Then other people will be able to trust us. And these people will learn from us that they can also trust God.
Verse 14 - Solomon lived in a dry country. His people needed rain for their crops. So the people were sad when the clouds did not bring rain.
This man behaved like these clouds. He did not do the things that he promised. His promises seemed genuine. But he never gave the gifts that he promised. He should not have promised these things.
Jesus said, ‘ “Yes” means “yes”. And “no” means “no”. Any other ideas are from the devil.’ (Matthew 5:37. See also James 5:12.)
Verse 15 - A patient person can achieve great things. His gentle words may not seem as impressive as other people’s words. But the patient person will continue until he succeeds. And, in the end, his gentle words are very powerful. See James 5:7-11.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Friday, December 08, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 25:1-7
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:1-7
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Here are more of Solomon’s proverbs (wise words). The officials copied these proverbs, when Hezekiah was the king of Judah.
v2 Mysteries prove that God is great.
But a king is great if he understands a mystery.
v3 The skies are high. The earth is deep.
And nobody can know the heart of a king.
v4 Remove the dirt from the silver!
And the skilled workman will make a beautiful object.
v5 Remove evil people from the government!
And the king will rule well.
v6 Do not try to be important.
Do not sit with the great men.
v7 Then the king will say to you, ‘Come here! You are important!’
But otherwise, he will say, ‘Go away! Other men are more important than you.’
Comment:
Verse 1 - King Hezekiah lived 250 years after King Solomon. Hezekiah was a good king. He served God.
Hezekiah established again the temple (house of God in Jerusalem), which Solomon built. King Hezekiah’s officials found some more proverbs (wise words). So they added these proverbs to Solomon’s book.
Solomon wrote these proverbs (wise words). Or perhaps these proverbs were part of Solomon’s collection.
The style of these proverbs (wise words) is different from the style of the proverbs in chapters 10 to 22. Some of these later proverbs are longer than the earlier proverbs. And many of these proverbs are in subject groups.
Verse 2 - Mysteries show one way that kings differ from God.
We know that God is great. We see many mysteries that are the works of God. We see plants and animals. But we do not know how God made them. We do not even know how our own bodies work. These things are mysteries to us. But they are the works of God. Because of such mysteries, we realize that God is great.
But a king is great if he understands mysteries. The king needs to realize if his people are unhappy. And he has to decide what he should do. The solution to the problem might be a mystery. The decision may be difficult. The king needs the best advisers. But if the king’s decision is right, then he is a great king.
Verse 3 - We cannot see all the stars, because the sky is too high. And we cannot know a king’s emotions or secret thoughts. In public, the king might seem bold. But in private, he might be afraid.
Verses 4-5 - The workman cannot make a beautiful object with dirty silver. And the king cannot rule well if his government is evil. Paul taught us to pray for kings and governments (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Verses 6-7 - This is similar to Jesus’ words in Luke 14:7-11. We should be humble. Then God will give honor to us.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 25:1-7
Comparisons, warnings, and instructions
(continued)
v1 Here are more of Solomon’s proverbs (wise words). The officials copied these proverbs, when Hezekiah was the king of Judah.
v2 Mysteries prove that God is great.
But a king is great if he understands a mystery.
v3 The skies are high. The earth is deep.
And nobody can know the heart of a king.
v4 Remove the dirt from the silver!
And the skilled workman will make a beautiful object.
v5 Remove evil people from the government!
And the king will rule well.
v6 Do not try to be important.
Do not sit with the great men.
v7 Then the king will say to you, ‘Come here! You are important!’
But otherwise, he will say, ‘Go away! Other men are more important than you.’
Comment:
Verse 1 - King Hezekiah lived 250 years after King Solomon. Hezekiah was a good king. He served God.
Hezekiah established again the temple (house of God in Jerusalem), which Solomon built. King Hezekiah’s officials found some more proverbs (wise words). So they added these proverbs to Solomon’s book.
Solomon wrote these proverbs (wise words). Or perhaps these proverbs were part of Solomon’s collection.
The style of these proverbs (wise words) is different from the style of the proverbs in chapters 10 to 22. Some of these later proverbs are longer than the earlier proverbs. And many of these proverbs are in subject groups.
Verse 2 - Mysteries show one way that kings differ from God.
We know that God is great. We see many mysteries that are the works of God. We see plants and animals. But we do not know how God made them. We do not even know how our own bodies work. These things are mysteries to us. But they are the works of God. Because of such mysteries, we realize that God is great.
But a king is great if he understands mysteries. The king needs to realize if his people are unhappy. And he has to decide what he should do. The solution to the problem might be a mystery. The decision may be difficult. The king needs the best advisers. But if the king’s decision is right, then he is a great king.
Verse 3 - We cannot see all the stars, because the sky is too high. And we cannot know a king’s emotions or secret thoughts. In public, the king might seem bold. But in private, he might be afraid.
Verses 4-5 - The workman cannot make a beautiful object with dirty silver. And the king cannot rule well if his government is evil. Paul taught us to pray for kings and governments (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Verses 6-7 - This is similar to Jesus’ words in Luke 14:7-11. We should be humble. Then God will give honor to us.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 24:26-34
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:26-34
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v26 An honest reply is like a kiss on the lips.
v27 First, work outside in the fields.
Afterwards, build your house.
v28 Do not oppose your neighbor in a court without a proper reason.
Do not lie about him.
v29 Do not say, ‘I will punish that man for his behavior.
I will make him suffer because he was wrong.’
v30 I passed the lazy man’s field.
I passed the garden that belongs to that unwise man.
v31 Weeds were everywhere. The plants were wild.
Even the garden wall had fallen down.
v32 I thought about the things that I saw.
I learned a lesson from that place.
v33 If you are lazy, you may say, ‘Relax and sleep!
Fold your arms and rest!’
v34 But such attitudes will make you poor, as quickly as a thief attacks.
Your losses will overcome you.
Comment:
Verse 26 - If someone loves you, then that person will be honest. You might not like your friend’s honest words. Those honest words might be bad news. You might even prefer someone who lies. But honest words are better than a kiss. Your enemy could kiss you. But honest words prove that your friend really loves you.
Verse 27 - This is good, practical advice. You need to work in the fields to grow your crops. Without food, you will die. If you still have energy, afterwards you can build your house. But the person that builds his house first will have no food.
We should carry out our most important work first.
Verses 28-29 - If you speak false evidence against your neighbor, your attitudes are wrong. You should not be opposing your neighbor without a proper reason. If your neighbor is guilty, then God will punish your neighbor. God is the judge.
So you should not punish your neighbor if he has upset you. Instead, you should forgive your neighbor. See Matthew 18:21-22 and Mark 11:25.
Verses 30-34 - There ought to be crops in this field. But the lazy man did not sow any seed.
There ought to be food in this garden. But the lazy man did not look after the food plants.
Now the garden is wild. Now there are only weeds. The writer does not tell us whether the lazy man died. But we know that the lazy man had no food. So perhaps the lazy man starved.
So the writer learned a lesson. He learned that he must work hard. Rest is good. And sleep is good. But if we are lazy, then we shall suffer.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:26-34
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v26 An honest reply is like a kiss on the lips.
v27 First, work outside in the fields.
Afterwards, build your house.
v28 Do not oppose your neighbor in a court without a proper reason.
Do not lie about him.
v29 Do not say, ‘I will punish that man for his behavior.
I will make him suffer because he was wrong.’
v30 I passed the lazy man’s field.
I passed the garden that belongs to that unwise man.
v31 Weeds were everywhere. The plants were wild.
Even the garden wall had fallen down.
v32 I thought about the things that I saw.
I learned a lesson from that place.
v33 If you are lazy, you may say, ‘Relax and sleep!
Fold your arms and rest!’
v34 But such attitudes will make you poor, as quickly as a thief attacks.
Your losses will overcome you.
Comment:
Verse 26 - If someone loves you, then that person will be honest. You might not like your friend’s honest words. Those honest words might be bad news. You might even prefer someone who lies. But honest words are better than a kiss. Your enemy could kiss you. But honest words prove that your friend really loves you.
Verse 27 - This is good, practical advice. You need to work in the fields to grow your crops. Without food, you will die. If you still have energy, afterwards you can build your house. But the person that builds his house first will have no food.
We should carry out our most important work first.
Verses 28-29 - If you speak false evidence against your neighbor, your attitudes are wrong. You should not be opposing your neighbor without a proper reason. If your neighbor is guilty, then God will punish your neighbor. God is the judge.
So you should not punish your neighbor if he has upset you. Instead, you should forgive your neighbor. See Matthew 18:21-22 and Mark 11:25.
Verses 30-34 - There ought to be crops in this field. But the lazy man did not sow any seed.
There ought to be food in this garden. But the lazy man did not look after the food plants.
Now the garden is wild. Now there are only weeds. The writer does not tell us whether the lazy man died. But we know that the lazy man had no food. So perhaps the lazy man starved.
So the writer learned a lesson. He learned that he must work hard. Rest is good. And sleep is good. But if we are lazy, then we shall suffer.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 24:17-25
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:17-25
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v17 Do not be glad when your enemy falls.
Do not be happy when you see his troubles.
v18 God will be angry with you, instead of your enemy.
v19 Do not worry about evil people.
Do not be jealous of wicked people.
v20 An evil man has no hope for the future.
A wicked person will die.
v21 Respect God, and respect the king, my son.
Do not oppose them.
v22 Both God and the king will suddenly destroy those that oppose them.
Both can cause great troubles.
v23 Here are some more Wise Lessons:
A judge must be fair.
v24 A judge might say to a guilty man, ‘You are innocent.’
But the people will curse that judge. The nations will hate him.
v25 However, the judge who punishes the guilty man does well.
God will be very kind to that judge.
Comment:
Verses 17-18 - When your enemy suffers, perhaps you are glad. But you should not be glad. Instead, you should be cautious. Perhaps your enemy is suffering because God has punished your enemy for his evil actions. But if your own actions are evil, then God will punish you, too. We all must ask God to forgive our evil actions. Remember that God is the judge of everyone.
Verses 19-20 - Perhaps you are afraid of evil people. Or perhaps you are jealous of their money or importance. Then, remember what will happen to them. In the end they will die. God is a fair judge. And he will punish them for their evil behavior. So serve God! And learn to avoid evil actions!
Verses 21-22 - God is like a king. God will punish his enemies. You might escape from an angry king. But you cannot escape from God’s anger. So do not be an enemy of God. God wants you to confess your evil actions. He sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus is God’s son; and Jesus suffered the punishment for your evil behavior. If you accept Jesus into your life, God will forgive you. And you will become a friend of God.
Because we respect God, we also respect our rulers (1 Peter 2:17). We pray for kings and other rulers (1 Timothy 2:2). And we should try to be good citizens. Verses 23-25
The 30 Wise Lessons are complete. They are important lessons. But there is more wisdom that the writer wants to teach us.
An unfair judge is terrible. God will punish that judge. But a fair judge makes the right decision. He deserves honor.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:17-25
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v17 Do not be glad when your enemy falls.
Do not be happy when you see his troubles.
v18 God will be angry with you, instead of your enemy.
v19 Do not worry about evil people.
Do not be jealous of wicked people.
v20 An evil man has no hope for the future.
A wicked person will die.
v21 Respect God, and respect the king, my son.
Do not oppose them.
v22 Both God and the king will suddenly destroy those that oppose them.
Both can cause great troubles.
v23 Here are some more Wise Lessons:
A judge must be fair.
v24 A judge might say to a guilty man, ‘You are innocent.’
But the people will curse that judge. The nations will hate him.
v25 However, the judge who punishes the guilty man does well.
God will be very kind to that judge.
Comment:
Verses 17-18 - When your enemy suffers, perhaps you are glad. But you should not be glad. Instead, you should be cautious. Perhaps your enemy is suffering because God has punished your enemy for his evil actions. But if your own actions are evil, then God will punish you, too. We all must ask God to forgive our evil actions. Remember that God is the judge of everyone.
Verses 19-20 - Perhaps you are afraid of evil people. Or perhaps you are jealous of their money or importance. Then, remember what will happen to them. In the end they will die. God is a fair judge. And he will punish them for their evil behavior. So serve God! And learn to avoid evil actions!
Verses 21-22 - God is like a king. God will punish his enemies. You might escape from an angry king. But you cannot escape from God’s anger. So do not be an enemy of God. God wants you to confess your evil actions. He sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus is God’s son; and Jesus suffered the punishment for your evil behavior. If you accept Jesus into your life, God will forgive you. And you will become a friend of God.
Because we respect God, we also respect our rulers (1 Peter 2:17). We pray for kings and other rulers (1 Timothy 2:2). And we should try to be good citizens. Verses 23-25
The 30 Wise Lessons are complete. They are important lessons. But there is more wisdom that the writer wants to teach us.
An unfair judge is terrible. God will punish that judge. But a fair judge makes the right decision. He deserves honor.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 24:11-16
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:11-16
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v11 If someone is going to die, then rescue him!
Save him from death!
v12 You cannot say, ‘I did not know about this.’
God knows your thoughts.
And you need God’s help, because God guards your life.
God is a judge, and he knows your actions.
v13 My son, eat honey!
Honey is good, and it is sweet.
v14 Wisdom is like honey.
Wisdom will make your spirit strong.
If you find wisdom, you will receive your reward.
Your hope will not be in vain.
v15 Do not wait as a thief outside a good man’s house.
Do not attack his home.
v16 Even if a good man falls 7 times, he will rise again.
But trouble destroys a wicked man.
Comment:
Verses 11-12 - You should not pretend that you do not see someone else’s troubles. Help that person! Perhaps you can save him. God knows your actions. God will be your judge.
See Ezekiel 33:1-9. God told Ezekiel to warn the people about their evil actions. If Ezekiel warned the people, then Ezekiel would save his own life. But God would still punish the people if they continued their evil behavior. But if Ezekiel did not warn the people, God would punish Ezekiel.
God has given a message to us (John 3:16). We must take this message to all the people in the world (Matthew 28:19-20). And God will help us to teach this message, because God is always with us.
Verses 13-14 - Honey was a valuable food. Other foods do not taste like honey. And honey is useful as a food and as a medicine.
Wisdom is also special. Wisdom is precious. Sometimes we must study hard to become wise. But wisdom is good. We all need wisdom.
Verses 15-16 - In verse 15, the writer uses humor. He writes a lesson for thieves. Of course, the writer really thinks that thieves are evil. But he pretends that he is teaching thieves. He advises the thieves not to steal from good men. If they try to steal from a good man, they will fail.
But even if the thieves succeed, the good man will not suffer. If a good man falls, he will rise again. If he falls again, then he will rise again. This will happen many times, because God protects a good man. When the thief attacks, this is like a fall. So God will protect the good man. The thief will be fighting against God. So the thief cannot succeed.
But the thief himself is a wicked man. In the end, the thief will suffer for his evil actions.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:11-16
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v11 If someone is going to die, then rescue him!
Save him from death!
v12 You cannot say, ‘I did not know about this.’
God knows your thoughts.
And you need God’s help, because God guards your life.
God is a judge, and he knows your actions.
v13 My son, eat honey!
Honey is good, and it is sweet.
v14 Wisdom is like honey.
Wisdom will make your spirit strong.
If you find wisdom, you will receive your reward.
Your hope will not be in vain.
v15 Do not wait as a thief outside a good man’s house.
Do not attack his home.
v16 Even if a good man falls 7 times, he will rise again.
But trouble destroys a wicked man.
Comment:
Verses 11-12 - You should not pretend that you do not see someone else’s troubles. Help that person! Perhaps you can save him. God knows your actions. God will be your judge.
See Ezekiel 33:1-9. God told Ezekiel to warn the people about their evil actions. If Ezekiel warned the people, then Ezekiel would save his own life. But God would still punish the people if they continued their evil behavior. But if Ezekiel did not warn the people, God would punish Ezekiel.
God has given a message to us (John 3:16). We must take this message to all the people in the world (Matthew 28:19-20). And God will help us to teach this message, because God is always with us.
Verses 13-14 - Honey was a valuable food. Other foods do not taste like honey. And honey is useful as a food and as a medicine.
Wisdom is also special. Wisdom is precious. Sometimes we must study hard to become wise. But wisdom is good. We all need wisdom.
Verses 15-16 - In verse 15, the writer uses humor. He writes a lesson for thieves. Of course, the writer really thinks that thieves are evil. But he pretends that he is teaching thieves. He advises the thieves not to steal from good men. If they try to steal from a good man, they will fail.
But even if the thieves succeed, the good man will not suffer. If a good man falls, he will rise again. If he falls again, then he will rise again. This will happen many times, because God protects a good man. When the thief attacks, this is like a fall. So God will protect the good man. The thief will be fighting against God. So the thief cannot succeed.
But the thief himself is a wicked man. In the end, the thief will suffer for his evil actions.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Monday, December 04, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 24:1-10
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:1-10
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v1 Do not be jealous of evil men.
Do not try to meet them.
v2 They make cruel plans in their minds.
And they discuss how to cause trouble.
v3 Wisdom is like someone who builds a house.
And intelligence is like the person who establishes the house.
v4 Knowledge is like the person who furnishes the house
with rare and beautiful objects.
v5 A wise man is powerful.
A man who has knowledge is strong.
v6 Before you fight a war, get advice!
To win the war, you need many advisers.
v7 A fool does not understand wisdom.
When men gather at the court, a fool can say nothing.
v8 When a man makes evil plans,
people call him a ‘plotter’.
v9 Foolish plots are evil.
People hate the person who insults them.
v10 If troubles make you weak, you are never strong.
Comment:
Verses 1-2 - You should not join a group of evil people. Their secret plans are cruel. And they plot trouble with their conversations. You should not be jealous of these people. You do not want to suffer their punishment.
Verses 3-4 - The writer describes a fine house. Perhaps the house is really a palace, because the house has rare and beautiful objects. This house can be like our lives.
A house is safe if its builder was skilled. And our lives are safe, if we are wise. And we should use our intelligence. And we should study to gain more intelligence. We need wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. Then, our lives will be good lives.
Verses 5-6 - You can count the number of soldiers in an army. But the number of soldiers does not win the battle. Your soldiers may be strong and brave. But this does not win the battle. The army needs a wise commander. And the commander needs good advice. One adviser is not enough. The commander needs many advisers.
You need advisers whenever you have a difficult problem. You cannot solve these problems yourself. You need other people to help you. Choose your advisers carefully! You need wise advisers.
Verse 7 - In ancient Israel, the men from a city would meet at the city gate. They would discuss the city’s problems together. Sometimes they would act like judges in a court. Sometimes they would decide whether to fight a war.
All the men would gather. But the oldest men would speak first. The people thought that the oldest men would be the wisest men. Then the younger men would speak.
But a ‘fool’ is someone who hates wisdom. He does not even know the meaning of ‘wisdom’. So the fool would not speak at the court. He has no wisdom, so he cannot advise. Nobody wants to hear his foolish words.
Verses 8-9 - This man makes evil plots. And the people hate him. They hate him because all his ideas are evil. Perhaps he wants to cause trouble. Or perhaps he wants to benefit himself unfairly.
Verse 10 - We must learn to be strong, even when we have troubles. We must learn to advise well, even when people oppose us. We must teach God’s message, even if people hate us.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 24:1-10
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v1 Do not be jealous of evil men.
Do not try to meet them.
v2 They make cruel plans in their minds.
And they discuss how to cause trouble.
v3 Wisdom is like someone who builds a house.
And intelligence is like the person who establishes the house.
v4 Knowledge is like the person who furnishes the house
with rare and beautiful objects.
v5 A wise man is powerful.
A man who has knowledge is strong.
v6 Before you fight a war, get advice!
To win the war, you need many advisers.
v7 A fool does not understand wisdom.
When men gather at the court, a fool can say nothing.
v8 When a man makes evil plans,
people call him a ‘plotter’.
v9 Foolish plots are evil.
People hate the person who insults them.
v10 If troubles make you weak, you are never strong.
Comment:
Verses 1-2 - You should not join a group of evil people. Their secret plans are cruel. And they plot trouble with their conversations. You should not be jealous of these people. You do not want to suffer their punishment.
Verses 3-4 - The writer describes a fine house. Perhaps the house is really a palace, because the house has rare and beautiful objects. This house can be like our lives.
A house is safe if its builder was skilled. And our lives are safe, if we are wise. And we should use our intelligence. And we should study to gain more intelligence. We need wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. Then, our lives will be good lives.
Verses 5-6 - You can count the number of soldiers in an army. But the number of soldiers does not win the battle. Your soldiers may be strong and brave. But this does not win the battle. The army needs a wise commander. And the commander needs good advice. One adviser is not enough. The commander needs many advisers.
You need advisers whenever you have a difficult problem. You cannot solve these problems yourself. You need other people to help you. Choose your advisers carefully! You need wise advisers.
Verse 7 - In ancient Israel, the men from a city would meet at the city gate. They would discuss the city’s problems together. Sometimes they would act like judges in a court. Sometimes they would decide whether to fight a war.
All the men would gather. But the oldest men would speak first. The people thought that the oldest men would be the wisest men. Then the younger men would speak.
But a ‘fool’ is someone who hates wisdom. He does not even know the meaning of ‘wisdom’. So the fool would not speak at the court. He has no wisdom, so he cannot advise. Nobody wants to hear his foolish words.
Verses 8-9 - This man makes evil plots. And the people hate him. They hate him because all his ideas are evil. Perhaps he wants to cause trouble. Or perhaps he wants to benefit himself unfairly.
Verse 10 - We must learn to be strong, even when we have troubles. We must learn to advise well, even when people oppose us. We must teach God’s message, even if people hate us.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 23:31-35
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:31-35
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v31 Do not look at wine!
Do not say, ‘It is pretty! It is red!’
Do not swallow it!
v32 In the end, wine will hurt you.
Wine is like a poisonous snake, which will bite you.
v33 The alcohol will confuse your brain.
Your eyes will see strange sights.
v34 You will shake like a man who sleeps at sea.
You will feel like a man who balances on a ship.
v35 You will say, ‘The people hit me, but they cannot hurt me.
They whip me, but I feel nothing.
I must awake, because I need more alcohol.’
Comment:
Verse 31 - Wine may look attractive. But it causes many troubles. When a person begins to drink alcohol, that person sometimes cannot stop. This is an illness called ‘alcoholism’. If someone cannot control alcohol, that person needs help. That person should learn not to drink alcohol again. Doctors might help them. A group called ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ might help. And that person’s friends should explain the problems that alcohol causes. Alcohol causes many illnesses. Alcohol can cause death.
Verse 32 - The writer tells us about a drunk’s strange experiences. If someone has an alcohol problem, that person should obtain help early. That person should not wait until they suffer these strange experiences.
The writer seems to know these experiences well. Perhaps the writer himself suffered this problem.
Drunks may see strange things. Some drunks imagine that they see snakes. A drunk might imagine that the snakes are attacking him.
Verse 33 - Alcohol confuses a drinker. A drinker cannot think sensible thoughts. Often, he thinks that he needs to drink more alcohol. Really, he needs to stop.
Verse 34 - When the drinker drinks too much alcohol, he feels like someone on a ship. The drinker cannot walk in a straight line. He might shake. He might fall. He might be sick.
Verse 35 - Now the drinker hurts himself. But he might not feel the pain.
The next day, he might feel terrible pains. These pains are called a ‘hangover’. But the drunk does not learn from his error. He will make the same mistake again, many times.
This is because alcohol confuses the brain. The drunk does not realize that he must refuse alcohol. He thinks that he needs more alcohol. He supposes that alcohol will cure his problems. Really, alcohol causes all his problems.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:31-35
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v31 Do not look at wine!
Do not say, ‘It is pretty! It is red!’
Do not swallow it!
v32 In the end, wine will hurt you.
Wine is like a poisonous snake, which will bite you.
v33 The alcohol will confuse your brain.
Your eyes will see strange sights.
v34 You will shake like a man who sleeps at sea.
You will feel like a man who balances on a ship.
v35 You will say, ‘The people hit me, but they cannot hurt me.
They whip me, but I feel nothing.
I must awake, because I need more alcohol.’
Comment:
Verse 31 - Wine may look attractive. But it causes many troubles. When a person begins to drink alcohol, that person sometimes cannot stop. This is an illness called ‘alcoholism’. If someone cannot control alcohol, that person needs help. That person should learn not to drink alcohol again. Doctors might help them. A group called ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ might help. And that person’s friends should explain the problems that alcohol causes. Alcohol causes many illnesses. Alcohol can cause death.
Verse 32 - The writer tells us about a drunk’s strange experiences. If someone has an alcohol problem, that person should obtain help early. That person should not wait until they suffer these strange experiences.
The writer seems to know these experiences well. Perhaps the writer himself suffered this problem.
Drunks may see strange things. Some drunks imagine that they see snakes. A drunk might imagine that the snakes are attacking him.
Verse 33 - Alcohol confuses a drinker. A drinker cannot think sensible thoughts. Often, he thinks that he needs to drink more alcohol. Really, he needs to stop.
Verse 34 - When the drinker drinks too much alcohol, he feels like someone on a ship. The drinker cannot walk in a straight line. He might shake. He might fall. He might be sick.
Verse 35 - Now the drinker hurts himself. But he might not feel the pain.
The next day, he might feel terrible pains. These pains are called a ‘hangover’. But the drunk does not learn from his error. He will make the same mistake again, many times.
This is because alcohol confuses the brain. The drunk does not realize that he must refuse alcohol. He thinks that he needs more alcohol. He supposes that alcohol will cure his problems. Really, alcohol causes all his problems.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 23:26-30
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:26-30
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v26 My son, obey me with all your heart!
Copy the way that I live.
v27 A woman who sells sex is like a deep hole.
A married woman who tempts you is like a narrow well.
v28 Like a robber, this woman waits for you.
She causes men to do evil things.
v29 Some people are sad and they cry.
They argue and they complain.
Their eyes are red and their bodies have bruises.
v30 These things happened because wine tempted them.
They went to taste the wine.
Comment:
Verses 26-28 - The son must be careful about sex. Some women sell sex. They are like a deep hole that a hunter uses as a trap for animals. And some married women tempt other men. They are like a narrow well that a man cannot escape from (Jeremiah 38:6-8).
Wells and holes are dangerous whether they are deep or narrow. And sex is dangerous, unless you are with your husband or wife. Sex can cause many troubles.
In verse 28, a robber waits to attack. The wrong woman is as dangerous as a robber. The son might suppose that the woman waits to greet him. Or he might suppose that she loves him. But she does not obey God’s law. And she will cause him, too, to do evil things.
Verse 29 - The writer points out a group of people. They are sad. They argue. They cry. Perhaps we suppose that a terrible event has happened.
Verse 30 - The writer tells us what is wrong. These people drank too much wine. Alcohol tempted them. This is terrible, he argues.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:26-30
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v26 My son, obey me with all your heart!
Copy the way that I live.
v27 A woman who sells sex is like a deep hole.
A married woman who tempts you is like a narrow well.
v28 Like a robber, this woman waits for you.
She causes men to do evil things.
v29 Some people are sad and they cry.
They argue and they complain.
Their eyes are red and their bodies have bruises.
v30 These things happened because wine tempted them.
They went to taste the wine.
Comment:
Verses 26-28 - The son must be careful about sex. Some women sell sex. They are like a deep hole that a hunter uses as a trap for animals. And some married women tempt other men. They are like a narrow well that a man cannot escape from (Jeremiah 38:6-8).
Wells and holes are dangerous whether they are deep or narrow. And sex is dangerous, unless you are with your husband or wife. Sex can cause many troubles.
In verse 28, a robber waits to attack. The wrong woman is as dangerous as a robber. The son might suppose that the woman waits to greet him. Or he might suppose that she loves him. But she does not obey God’s law. And she will cause him, too, to do evil things.
Verse 29 - The writer points out a group of people. They are sad. They argue. They cry. Perhaps we suppose that a terrible event has happened.
Verse 30 - The writer tells us what is wrong. These people drank too much wine. Alcohol tempted them. This is terrible, he argues.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Friday, December 01, 2006
Go and teach all nations - Proverbs 23:17-25
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:17-25
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v17 When evil men seem to be successful, do not be jealous.
You should continue to trust God.
v18 In the end, your reward will be certain.
Your hope will not be in vain.
v19 Listen, my son! Be wise!
Desire the right things!
v20 Avoid the company of those who spend their time with too much food and drink.
v21 People that love food and wine become poor.
They become sleepy, so that they waste everything.
v22 Listen to your father! He gave your life to you.
Do not hate your mother when she is old!
v23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it at any price. Get wisdom also.
And get discipline and understanding.
v24 The father of a good man has great joy.
A wise son gives pleasure to his father.
v25 If you are wise, then your father and mother will be glad.
If you are wise, your mother will have great joy.
Comment:
Verses 17-18 - Perhaps you are jealous because some evil people are wealthy. Or they are famous, or important (Psalm 73:3-5). But you must desire the right things. So do not be jealous when you see evil people. Instead, think about God. Remember that God loves you. Remember the things that God wants you to do. And God will reward you.
Verses 19-21 - The father warns his son. The son must not be greedy for food. And he must not be a drunk. This is because greedy people and drunks become lazy. They want only to eat and to drink. They do not want to work. Their expensive habits will waste all their money. This is how they become poor.
Verses 22-25 - If the son loves his parents, then he should listen to them. He should obey their instructions. And he should learn to be wise. Then his parents will be glad. They will have great joy, because their son will be a wise man.
So, the son should choose the best things in life. He should not choose money or possessions. He should choose the truth. And he should choose wisdom, discipline and understanding. These qualities will cause the son to become a great man.
A wise son is better than a rich son. A wise son is better than a famous son. And a wise son is much better than a foolish son.
Verse 22 reminds us about God’s command in Exodus 20:12. Children should respect their parents.
In verse 23, we cannot buy and sell truth with money. But truth and wisdom cost much in effort to obtain. So do wisdom and understanding.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
Solomon’s Wise Words
Proverbs 23:17-25
Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts
(continued)
v17 When evil men seem to be successful, do not be jealous.
You should continue to trust God.
v18 In the end, your reward will be certain.
Your hope will not be in vain.
v19 Listen, my son! Be wise!
Desire the right things!
v20 Avoid the company of those who spend their time with too much food and drink.
v21 People that love food and wine become poor.
They become sleepy, so that they waste everything.
v22 Listen to your father! He gave your life to you.
Do not hate your mother when she is old!
v23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it at any price. Get wisdom also.
And get discipline and understanding.
v24 The father of a good man has great joy.
A wise son gives pleasure to his father.
v25 If you are wise, then your father and mother will be glad.
If you are wise, your mother will have great joy.
Comment:
Verses 17-18 - Perhaps you are jealous because some evil people are wealthy. Or they are famous, or important (Psalm 73:3-5). But you must desire the right things. So do not be jealous when you see evil people. Instead, think about God. Remember that God loves you. Remember the things that God wants you to do. And God will reward you.
Verses 19-21 - The father warns his son. The son must not be greedy for food. And he must not be a drunk. This is because greedy people and drunks become lazy. They want only to eat and to drink. They do not want to work. Their expensive habits will waste all their money. This is how they become poor.
Verses 22-25 - If the son loves his parents, then he should listen to them. He should obey their instructions. And he should learn to be wise. Then his parents will be glad. They will have great joy, because their son will be a wise man.
So, the son should choose the best things in life. He should not choose money or possessions. He should choose the truth. And he should choose wisdom, discipline and understanding. These qualities will cause the son to become a great man.
A wise son is better than a rich son. A wise son is better than a famous son. And a wise son is much better than a foolish son.
Verse 22 reminds us about God’s command in Exodus 20:12. Children should respect their parents.
In verse 23, we cannot buy and sell truth with money. But truth and wisdom cost much in effort to obtain. So do wisdom and understanding.
__o
Text from the EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary - used with permission - © 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK) - For more information about EasyEnglish Publications, visit their website: www.easyenglish.info
Go and teach all nations
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