Proverbs chapter 28

vs 1

So the wicked are cowards, and the righteous should be courageous. Nice and simple.

vs 2

Wisdom, then, is one of the vital tools of a ruler in order to keep order in his country. I don't think we think about that. We think of economic management, political nouse and other things, but simple wisdom and discernment are vital to orderly ruling.

vs 3

In other words, very unforgiving and destructive to the future.

vs 4

The difference between wisdom and foolishness can be measured at least partly by how much you listen to and appreciate the wicked. Just remember that just because someone is wicked doesn't mean everything they say is always wrong, nor even everything they do.

vs 5

God actually helps us to understand what is right and wrong. But of course, you actually have to be looking for it, seeking God for it. You can talk about people having different perspectives on what is right, but the truth is that God is the absolute authority on it, so why go anywhere else?

vs 6

Righteousness is better than wealth. How much do we really believe it, in this society?

vs 7

This stuff about children and their effect on their parents, it just sounds so Jewish and blackmailing. I just had to say it. It's almost stereotypical, although obviously this came before.

vs 8

I cannot tell you how much I love this idea - that God uses rich bastards to amass money for righteous people. Worth remembering next time you get trounced by some rich bugger. You're going down, Telstra!

vs 9

Erm... it's painful to think that God might not listen to our prayers. I mean, if you don't think he listens anyway, then who cares. But it's like thinking that you might come home and your wife won't listen to you. Or you go to work and your boss refuses to talk to you. How long would you survive in that situation? The thought of it is crushing.