Proverbs chapter 21

vs 11

So the simple gain wisdom both by listening to the wise, but also by seeing the punishment of fools. This is perhaps why God allows us to see bad people cop bad things.

vs 12

I don't think the idea of a righteous person (see translation note in TNIV) bringing the wicked to ruin really seems in place here. It must be God, surely.

vs 13

I find this so scary. There's so little between normalcy and poverty. We feel there's a huge gap, but it can be as close as a few stupid things said to the wrong people away.

vs 14

So, wait, do we give bribes now? I mean, I want to say that this verse is just saying, "This is what bribes do", but it gives them a pretty positive rap. Not sure what to do with this verse.

vs 15

That's a pretty good definition of justice, although really it only defines it by what it does. Still, a good way to recognise justice.

vs 16

So there are cemetaries on either side of the path of prudence, it seems.

vs 17

Interesting idea, because we generally think the people who love those sorts of things already are rich. But I guess that's not true - there are plenty of people who try to live for the cheap pleasures, but even cheap pleasures still drain your bank account.

vs 18

How does this work? I am perplexed. Is it like they end up paying even for the things the righteous do? I don't know, confusing.

vs 19

See my previous comments about this sort of verse.

vs 20

Why is it wise to store up choice things? All sorts of reasons. A great bottle of wine should be saved for a great occasion, for example, rather than have it when you first get it. it's not a hard and fast rule - sometimes you just have to have what you have when you get it. But it's worth considering... do you need to have that nice thing now?