Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge,But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.2 A agood man will obtain favor from the LORD,But He will condemn a man who devises evil.Prov 3:4; 8:353 A man will anot be established by wickedness,But the root of the consistently brighteous will not be moved.Prov 11:5Prov 10:254 A avirtuous and excellent wife worthy of honor is the crown of her husband,But she who shames him with her foolishness is like brottenness in his bones. Prov 31:23; 1+@Cor 11:7Prov 31:11; 1 Cor 11:7Prov 14:30; Hab 3:165 The thoughts and purposes of the consistently righteous are just ,But the counsels and schemes of the wicked are deceitful.6 The malevolent awords of the wicked lie in wait for innocent blood to slander,But the bmouth of the upright will rescue and protect them.Prov 1:11, 16Prov 14:37 The awicked are overthrown by their evil and are no more,But the bhouse of the consistently righteous will stand securely.Job 34:25; Prov 10:25Matt 7:24-278 A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.9 1Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,Than he who boastfully honors himself pretending to be what he is not and lacks bread.This is the first of many verses in Proverbs that use the “better…than” construction to emphasize contrasting positions.10 A arighteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal,But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. Deut 25:4Deut 25:411 He awho tills his land will have plenty of bread,But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.Prov 28:1912 The awicked desire the plunder of evil men,But the root of the righteous byields richer fruit.Prov 21:10Prov 11:3013 An evil man is dangerously ensnared by the transgression of his lips,But the arighteous will escape from trouble.Prov 11:8; 21:23; 2 Pet 2:914 A man will be asatisfied with good from the fruit of his words,And the bdeeds of a man’s hands will return to him as a harvest.Prov 13:2; 15:23; 18:20Job 34:11; Prov 1:31; 24:12; Is 3:10, 11; Hos 4:915 The away of the arrogant fool who rejects God’s wisdom is right in his own eyes,But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel. Prov 3:7; 9:9; 21:2Prov 14:12; 16:2; 21:216 The arrogant afool’s anger is quickly known because he lacks self-control and common sense,But a prudent man ignores an insult.Prov 14:33; 27:3; 29:1117 He who speaks truth when he testifies tells what is right,But a false witness utters deceit in court.18 There is one who aspeaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,But the btongue of the wise brings healing.Ps 57:4Prov 4:22; 15:419 Truthful lips will be established forever,But a alying tongue is credited only for a moment.Ps 52:4, 5; Prov 19:920 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,But counselors of peace have joy.21 aNo harm befalls the righteous,But the wicked are filled with trouble. Job 5:19; Ps 91:3; Prov 12:13; Is 46:4; Jer 1:8; Dan 6:27; 2+@Tim 4:18Ps 91:10; 121:7; Prov 1:33; 1 Pet 3:1322 aLying lips are extremely disgusting to the LORD,But those who deal faithfully are His delight. Prov 6:17; 11:20; Rev 22:15Rev 22:1523 A ashrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge until the proper time,But the heart of over-confident fools proclaims foolishness. Is 32:6Prov 10:14; 11:13; 13:16; 15:2; 29:1124 The hand of the diligent will rule,But the negligent and lazy will be aput to forced labor.Gen 49:15; Judg 1:28; 1 Kin 9:2125 aAnxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,But a bgood word makes it glad. Is 50:4; Prov 15:13Prov 15:13Is 50:426 The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor,But the way of the wicked leads them astray.27 The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey,But the aprecious possession of a wise man is diligence because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them.Prov 10:4; 13:428 aIn the way of righteousness is life,And in its pathway there is no death but immortality—eternal life. John 3:36; 4:36; 8:51; 11:26; 1+@Cor 15:54; Gal 6:8Deut 30:15f; 32:46f; Jer 21:8