Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 17:1 (New Living Translation) Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. This tells us a simple principle about priorities. Take care of the physical necessities. Then take care of the emotional needs. The key word in the first principle is “necessities.” Enough bread to survive is a […]

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Proverbs 22:22-23 (New Living Translation) Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 23 for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. Evil is easy. It is easy to rob the poor. It is easy to rob the rich. Let’s make a list of evil […]

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Proverbs 13:8 (New Living Translation) The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. Hmm, poor people aren’t threatened. That makes sense as if you have nothing, you have nothing to lose. The rich, however, have lots to lose. They have so much that others will grab them […]

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Proverbs 12:18 (New Living Translation) Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. This proverb gives us a clear choice. Do my words cut or heal? I am sure we can create other dividing lines, but this one is apt. It provides me with a simple question to ask myself […]

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Proverbs 15:27 (New Living Translation) Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. These Proverbs were written several thousand years ago or last weekend. Sometimes I confuse the two time periods. This proverb tells me that greed can ruin a family or a community or a nation. How did […]

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Proverbs 15:15 (New Living Translation) For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Can we describe life any simpler than this? I don’t know how. Then again, I wasn’t sure of the definition of despondent. Let’s look at this definition: Adjective: In low spirits from loss of hope […]

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Proverbs 25:21-22 (New International Version 2011) 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. This proverb is quoted in the New Testament in Romans 12. […]

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Proverbs 24:17-18 (New International Version) 17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. This is a timely read considering the recent death of Osama bin Laden and the ensuing celebrations. Perhaps […]

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Proverbs 16:33 (New International Version 2011) The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. We are back to casting lots to make decisions. This verse strikes me as one more simple example of using the lot or the die to seek what the Lord wants us to do. […]

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Proverbs 18:18 (New International Version) Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. I read this week as well. It was another of those, “What does this say? This must be a misprint!” The writer of this proverb is telling me to “roll the dice” or “cut a deck of cards” to settle […]

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