Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisersthey succeed.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply —
and how good is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are purein his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
Gushing
These images emphasize the mouth of the fool. A mouth that gushes without thinking is not wise. The solution then is to somehow find more of God. Seek God and your mouth is less likely to embarrass you.
Questions
- How does the mouth of the fool gush?
- What illustrations would you use for a wise mouth?
- How do you think that Jewish people would speak foolishly that would be similar to people today?
- Why do some people start spewing flattery?
- How could people stop speaking so much? What might success look like after just a week or so?
Plymothian 