Day 31 – "Pride goes before destruction"
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Better a patient person than a warrior, a person who controls their temper than one who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
- What do these proverbs teach about pride and humility?
- How do wise and foolish speech differ in this passage?
- Which verse speaks most clearly to your current season of life?
- What do these verses reveal about the value of patience and self-control?
- How might you speak “gracious words” today?
God, humble my heart and make me wise in how I speak. Let my words bring healing, not harm. Help me to trust You with the outcomes of my life, even when things feel uncertain. Teach me to value patience and righteousness more than power or pride. Amen.