Daily Bible Reading “Righteousness Exalts a Nation” (Proverbs 14:15-35)

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 14:15-35. The verse we are focusing on in this passage of Scripture is verse 34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Before we get into this verse let’s look at the rest of the Scripture.

The simple person believes every word: but the prudent person looks well to their success.

A wise person fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident.

Those who are easily angered deal foolishly: and a person of wicked devices is hated.

A simple person inherits folly: but the prudent person is crowned with knowledge.

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor person is hated even by their own neighbor: but the rich have many friends. Is it because of their money that the wealthy have many friends or is it because of the way they treat others?

Those who despise their neighbor sins: but happy are those who have mercy on the poor.

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth will come to those who devise good.

In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips leads to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

In the multitude of people is the king’s honor: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

He that is slow to wrath has great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.

A sound heart is the life of the body: but envy decays the bones.

Those who oppress the poor reproach their Maker: but those who honor Him have mercy on the poor.

The wicked is driven away in their wickedness: but the righteous have hope in their death.

Wisdom rests in the heart of those who have understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

The king shows favor toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against those who cause shame.

Many times people believe that when they sin or do something wrong they are not hurting anyone else, but themselves. That is usually not true, more often than not, the bad decisions we make hurt the people we love the most. This Scripture goes as far to say that sin can affect an entire nation. When a nation turns against God they are more likely to reap the wrath of God instead of His blessings.

On the other hand, if we live good godly lives those closest to us reap the benefits of our obedience. When we, as a nation, obey God and make right choices our righteousness elevates our nation. It can cause God’s blessings to be upon us.

As believers, we have a responsibility to pray for our nation. We are reminded of our responsibility in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 14:15-35

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Things to think about:

What does righteousness do for a nation?
What does sin do for a nation?
What are the attributes of the righteous mentioned in this Scripture?
What are the attributes of the wicked or foolish mentioned in this Scripture?
What can we do as believers to help heal our nation and bring it back to God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs we see that righteousness can heal a nation, but sin can destroy a nation. Help us to humble ourselves, pray and seek your face. Help our nation to turn back to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

– Proverbs 14:34

For more on this topic check out my book Christians Response to Government.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

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by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

God is Love is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It contains 19 daily devotionals on Scriptures about love from the Bible: including God’s love for us, the love relationship between a husband and wife, love and honoring our parents, and much more.

This devotional would be great for either a personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Wise Women” (Proverbs 14:1-14)

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Wise Women

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 14:1-14. In this Scripture, we are reminded that every wise woman builds her house: but a foolish woman tears her house down.

As women we can either build up our house and the people who live in our home or we can tear them down. Many times it is up to the woman to set the tone for the home. Haven’t you heard the saying, “If mama is happy then everybody is happy, and if mama isn’t happy then nobody is happy?” This statement is true in a lot of ways.

Many of the Scriptures in the book of Proverbs teach us how to discern the people we should hang around. It can help us to know who we should choose for our best friends.

Those who walk in uprightness fear the LORD: but those who are perverse in their ways despise Him.

A rod of pride is in the mouth of the foolish person: but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will tell lies.

A scorner seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it: but knowledge is easy to those who understand.

It is best to leave the presence of a foolish person, when you don’t perceive knowledge in their mouth.

The wisdom of the prudent person is to understand their way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Foolish people mock sin: but the righteous person finds favor.

The heart knows its own bitterness; and a stranger does not inter-meddle with their joy.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown: but the sanctuary of the upright will flourish.

Verse 12 is one of my favorite verses from this passage of Scripture, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Sometimes we choose ways that seem right to us at the moment, but in the end they lead to destruction. We need to ask God for His leadership, guidance, and direction in our lives. Only He can help us to make the right choices.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that humor is heaviness.

The backslider in heart will be filled with their own ways: and a good person will satisfy themselves.

These Scriptures may also help us to see some of our own short comings. If you notice something in these Scriptures that you need help with, now would be a good time to pray and ask God to forgive you, and to help you do away with those things in your life.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 14:1-14

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Things to think about:

What are some ways that a good woman can build her house?
What are some characteristics of the foolish mentioned in this Scripture?
What are the characteristics of the wise mentioned in this Scripture?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read and study this Scripture in Proverbs help us to learn the difference between the wise person and the ways of those who are foolish. Give us discernment and help us to know who to associate with and who to avoid. Help us to make wise decisions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

– Proverbs 14:1

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.