Wisdom, Is Better Than

Wisdom, Is Better Than Text: Proverbs 17:1-28

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. 4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. 7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. 10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. 16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. 21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. 23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. 26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. 27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

These Proverbs give the wise things that are better than. Such as wisdom being better than silver or gold. Poverty and peace and contentment is better than plenty with strife. Wisdom in servants is better than folly in sons. Wisdom is offered over and over again to anyone who will hear and heed to.

Proverbs 17:1 NLT Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

Remember, Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

Proverbs 17:2NLT A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

Wisdom is vital, and better than privilege that if children act like fools, a wise servant will rise to prominence over the household.

Proverbs 17:3NLT Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

The Lord is like a refining fire. Malachi 3:2-3NLT “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.

Psalm 66:10NLT You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.

Job 23:10NLT “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

Proverbs 17:4NLT Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

Remember the old saying, “Birds of the feather flock together.”

Proverbs 17:5NLT Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.