Proverbs 11:16 says, A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.  A woman who is gracious in her relationship with others keeps her honor.  This is much different than what we see presented today as the way women should act to be honored.  Likewise, men who are strong, I believe in their relationship to God, will retain the riches they have with Him.  I don't believe that this is referring to claiming or keeping earthly riches by being more powerful than others.  Verse seventeen states, The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.  When a person acts out of mercy, they are content in life.  Since mercy is something freely given, there are no regrets for having shown mercy.  Verse eighteen declares, The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.  Wicked people are always trying to devise a plan to steal from, or otherwise take, what belongs to someone else.  We, as followers of Christ, are to sow the seeds of righteousness instead.  Verse nineteen says, As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.  The righteous, those that follow God, do the things that God would have them do, which tends to, or grows, our relationship with God and our fellow man.  Those who are evil are working toward their own death in their relationship to God.  Verse twenty declares, They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.  This simply states that those who follow the ways of the world and refuse to accept God's gift of salvation are an abomination to Him.  Those who live under the leadership of God are a delight to Him.  Verse twenty-one declares, Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.  I believe this is basically saying that no matter how many wicked people join together, they will not escape the ultimate punishment of God.  Those who follow God will be delivered by Him.  Verse twenty-two says, As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.  This tells us that a woman who does not live by the discretion of God is like a jeweled pig.  She may look great, but she is full of evil inside.  Verse twenty-three declares, The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.  We, as followers of Christ, should want only what is best for others.  We should never envy them or want them to fall.  The wicked are just the opposite, wanting only what is best for themselves.  Verse twenty-four states, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  Then  verse twenty-five adds, The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.  This simply means that those who are liberal in their giving will be blessed, if not materially, then spiritually.  God expects His people to share what He blesses them with, helping those in need.  Verse twenty-six declares, He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.  This goes beyond giving to others and speaks of those who don't even want to sell to others.  This is a true self-centered attitude.  Verse twenty-seven states, He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.  This tells us that if we earnestly seek good, or the will of God, that we will find favor, with God and most people.  There will be some who seek mischief whom we will not find favor with, but they will one day pay for their mischief.  Verse twenty-eight declares, He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.  There are many people today who put their faith in their riches, which have a temporary and arbitrary value at best.  Nothing in this world is going to buy anyone salvation.  If we are righteous, which means we have accepted salvation through Christ, we will flourish spiritually.  Verse twenty-nine states, He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.  I believe this means that we should not cause trouble in our own homes.  Those who do so out of foolishness will one day serve those who act wisely, or follow God's leadership.  Verse thirty proclaims, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.  The reward that we receive from following Christ is everlasting life with God.  Since this is true, we should be reaching out to others with the gospel of Christ.  Verse thirty-one says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.  I don't believe that this means with material things, but with a peace and satisfaction that those who deny God can never know.

Proverbs 11:1 says, A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.  God expects us, as followers of Christ, to be honest in our dealings with others.  We cannot follow God while at the same time cheating others in business deals.  Verse two states, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.  Those who attempt to claim that they are the greatest, whatever it may be, to bring glory to themselves instead of humbly serving God and glorifying Him, will one day be brought to shame.  We are to serve God in humility, giving honor to Him.  Verse three states, The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  As the upright, the followers of Christ, we are to be guided by integrity.  This is not just following the law and being honest because we are afraid we will be caught if we don't.  Integrity comes from our being guided by what we know is right, even if we knew we would never be caught if we did what was wrong.  Verse four declares, Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.  Having all the money in the world will be of no benefit when the judgment of God, the day of wrath to those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord, comes.  We cannot buy salvation.  Verse five states, The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.  This just says once more that those who follow Christ will be directed by righteousness, which I believe comes from following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Those who do not follow Christ will eventually fall from their own wickedness.  Our righteousness can only come from accepting Christ as our Savior and allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives, which is manifested by our being led by the Holy Spirit.  Verse six adds, The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.  We are delivered by the righteousness of Christ, and not by our own righteousness.  Verse seven warns, When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.  There is no hope of salvation after we die.  If we have not accepted Christ before we die, we are doomed forever.  Verse eight says, The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.  I don't believe that this means that we will always be delivered out of trouble in this life, but we will be delivered out of trouble in our lives after Christ returns.  Verse nine declares, An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.   A hypocrite is someone who falsely proclaims to follow Christ, but doesn't really.  If we truly follow Christ, we will not attempt to destroy our neighbor, whether by word or deed.  Verse ten states, When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.  I am not sure that the city rejoices when it goes well with the righteous, but God tells us they should.  We can definitely say that the followers of Christ should rejoice when it goes well with other Christians.  Verse eleven says, By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.  When upright people, those that follow God, bless or pray for a city, they want what is best for everyone.  The wicked selfishly want only what is best for themselves and their friends.  Ultimately, this self-centered attitude will lead to the city suffering.  If we want our cities to be exalted, or looked at favorably, then we must seek God's guidance for them.  Verse twelve states, He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.  We cannot live by the wisdom of God and despise our neighbor.  We certainly cannot live by the wisdom of God and despise our fellow Christians, yet too often we allow petty differences to cause us to do so.  Verse thirteen declares,  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.  Some people just don't seem to be able to wait to tell something that they learned in secret.  As followers of Christ, if someone tells us anything in confidence, we must never reveal it to anyone else.  Verse fourteen says, Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.  We need people to help guide us in our Christian walk, especially when we first accept Christ.  If we have more than one person to counsel us, that is even better.  As we grow in Christ, we should be there to help others in need of guidance.  Verse fifteen states, He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.  This basically tells us that we should not make guarantees, especially financial ones, for people that we do not know.  The warning is that we may suffer financially from doing so.

Proverbs 10:22 says, The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.  Again, I don't believe that this is speaking about being rich materially, as many people may teach, but being spiritually blessed.  When we are obedient to God's word, we will never feel that we are lacking in anything.  Verse twenty-three states, It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. Some people seem to delight in doing evil things and speaking evil words.  We are told that if we have wisdom, which comes from our relationship with God, that we will not be like them.  There should be a difference between the way God's people speak and act and the way those who do not follow God speak and act.  Verse twenty-four declares, The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.  Matthew Henry says that this means that even if the wicked prosper, they will still live in fear deep inside.  I believe there will be the fear of losing what they have materially and the fear of death, which at best would lead to uncertainty.  Since the righteous should only desire what God provides for them, it will be granted.  Verse twenty-five states, As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.  Those things that the wicked accumulate and value will eventually be blown away.  If we have built our lives in righteousness, or a right relationship with God through Christ, our lives are built on an everlasting foundation and can never be blown away or otherwise destroyed.  Verse twenty-six declares, As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.  The sluggard, those who would do as little as possible, should be just as painful as smoke in the eyes to those that they are supposed to be working for.  As followers of Christ, we should do our best to meet and exceed what is expected of us on our jobs.  Verse twenty-seven says, The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.  I don't believe that this means that obeying God's word always leads to a long life in this world, but following God's will should eliminate a lot of stress and worry, which can lead to longer life.  Still, ultimately our lives are everlasting if we accept the gift of salvation.  Though the soul of the wicked will live on, their days of any kind of pleasant life will not.  Verse twenty-eight says, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.  As followers of Christ, the righteous, we should live in gladness.  We already know the ultimate outcome.  Verse twenty-nine says, The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.   Our faith in Christ, which should lead us to walk by His guidance, gives us strength to face all the cares and concerns of the world.  Since nothing can take away our salvation, we should walk in the strength of our faith.  Verse thirty declares, The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.  As just stated, nothing can separate, or remove us, from Christ.  The wicked not inhabiting the earth refers to the world after Christ returns.  Verse thirty-one says, The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.  The just, those who have accepted salvation through Christ, will speak with the wisdom of God.  The wisdom that we speak with should glorify God and lead people to Him.  Verse thirty-two adds, The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.  This just continues to point out that what we say matters.  We should not sound like those who are not followers of Christ.  Our speech should certainly never lead anyone away from Christ, nor should it dishonor God.

Proverbs 10:15 says, The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.  This can be understood to mean that the rich put their faith in their wealth.  They feel as secure as if they were in a walled city.  Of course today walls do not mean much for protection in war, but they once did.  The poor on the other hand can feel hopeless because of their poverty.  Both focus on the things of this world instead of focusing on God.  Verse sixteen states, The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.  If we have a right relationship with God, then the things we do will lead to a better life here and an everlasting life in heaven.  Those who do not accept Christ and follow God's guidance will only be able to produce the fruits of sin.  Verse seventeen adds, He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.  If we want to live a successful life in the eyes of God, then we will keep His instructions, or commandments.  Those who will not accept the reproof of God are in error.  I believe that we can be saved and yet at times refuse to follow God's guidance in a particular situation, and when we do, we are in error.  Verse eighteen declares, He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.  We may say the right things, and even be friendly to someone, yet secretly hate them.  If we do, we are speaking with lying lips.  We may also spread false stories about someone, or even just repeat those that we have heard, but if we do, we are acting like a fool.  If we remember, a fool is one who has said in his heart that there is no God.  Verse nineteen says, In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.  I believe this is saying that talking a lot is not necessarily a sin, but it is better to be careful about what we say and maybe speak a little less.  Matthew Henry actually says that in a multitude of talking that sin is likely to be found.  He reminds us that at least we will be held accountable for every idle word.  At least we should never allow our speech to lead us to sinful actions, such as gossip or slander.  Verse twenty states, The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.  We are told that the words of the just are worth more than fine silver, or material things.  The words of the wicked have little value, since they are controlled by an evil heart.  Verse twenty-one concludes,  The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.  I believe we can say this refers to spiritual feeding.  When we speak with the wisdom of God, which is the only true wisdom, we feed many people spiritually, if they will only listen.  Those who deny God can never speak with true wisdom.  They make speak with knowledge and education, but they will lack any true wisdom.

Proverbs 10:1 says,  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.  A father does delight when his son lives in wisdom, and a mother has a heaviness in her heart when he doesn't.  It may be that a mother is even more saddened when a son, or daughter, does not live guided by wisdom, which can only come from God.  Verse two states, Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.  The treasures gained by wickedness amount to nothing, because they can only benefit a person for this lifetime, and then they are left behind.  Righteous, a right relationship with God, however, lasts forever.  Too often we put too much emphasis on the temporary riches than the everlasting righteousness.  Verse three declares, The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.  God will provide for the soul of the righteous.  We have everlasting security through Christ, no matter what happens to us in this world.  The opposite is true for the wicked.  Whatever the wicked gain in this world will be cast away in the judgment to come.  Verse four says, He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  I believe that this is referring to poor and rich in one's relationship to God.  Even if a person gains materially by cheating, they will be poor in God's eyes.  Those who are honest in their dealings will be rich in God's eyes.  Verse five adds, He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.  Not only should we be honest in our business dealings, but we should be at work when there is work to be done.  We cannot sleep through the harvest and expect God to miraculously provide for our needs.  Verse six states, Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.  Once more, I believe that this is speaking of spiritual, not material, blessings.  When we live justly in our relationship to God, which leads us to live justly with all people, we will enjoy the everlasting blessings of God.  The opposite is true for the unjust.  Verse seven says, The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.  Though the wicked may be remembered after death, they will never be remembered with honor.  Those who have lived a just life before God will be remembered with a blessed memory.  Verse eight declares, The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.  If we are to live wisely and stand upright before God, we will follow His commandments.  If we don't, we will fall in our spiritual walk.  Verse ten declares, He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.  I believe that this is simply declaring that when we follow God's leadership, we can walk with surety because we know that we have an everlasting relationship with Him.  Verse ten says, He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.  Winking can either be a sign of flirting or not being sincere about what is being said.  Those acts can cause sorrow and eventually make a person seem like nothing more than fool.  Verse eleven states, The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.  What we say as followers of Christ should help others and glorify God.  When we gossip or speak badly about other people, we are acting more like evil people than Godly people.  Verse twelve declares, Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.  We, as followers of Christ, are called on to love everyone, even our enemies.  When we begin to hate someone instead, we stir up strife in our lives.  Verse thirteen says, In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.  When we have an understanding of Who God is through our relationship with Christ, we will speak with wisdom.  Verse fourteen adds, Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.  This is not just worldly knowledge, but the knowledge that comes from God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  This is the knowledge that we must lay up, or live by.  There is no real wisdom or knowledge apart from God, and no matter how intelligent or educated we may be, if we do not accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we can only speak words that will lead to our spiritual destruction.

Proverbs 9:10 says, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  Once more, I don't believe that fear of God means being afraid of God, but means to have respect for God.  I do not believe that God wants us to be afraid of Him, but wants us to enter in to a close personal relationship with Him based on respect for Him.  He wants us to have the same type relationship that a child should have with his or her Father.  God will always want what is best for us.  This respect for God is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the holy, the things of God, is the beginning of understanding.  Verse eleven says,  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Believing in God and following Him leads to an increase in our life span.  If we do not live longer in this world, we will have an everlasting life with God.  I believe that those who do not believe in God and accept Christ as their Savior and Lord, though their souls will not die, they really want have what could be called a life.  If we follow God, ,our life here on earth will be more meaningful.  Verse twelve says, If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.  Our wisdom in accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord benefits each of us alone.  No one else can be saved by our profession of faith.  It is the responsibility of each individual to accept Christ by faith.  The opposite is also true.  We each bear the responsibility of our own rejection by God if we do not accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  No one else will bear the responsibility for our sins.  Verse thirteen declares, A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.  A foolish woman, like a foolish man, is one who denies the truth of God.  She is clamourous or makes a lot of noise, but really knows nothing.  Without acknowledging God, we can never really know anything of value.  Whatever we say without being guided by God and His word is just so much noise in a spiritual sense.  Verse fourteen says, For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,  A foolish woman, one who would lead people away from God, likes to call attention to herself.  The same can be said of a foolish man.  Both are self- centered instead of being focused on God.  Verse fifteen adds, To call passengers who go right on their ways:  She calls out to those who pass by to tempt them.  Verse sixteen warns, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,  Matthew Henry says that it is educated young men that she tempts, but educated or not they are simple due to the fact that they are not following God's leadership.  Those who follow God are not exempt from temptation, but are often tempted even more than those who don't follow God.  Verse seventeen states, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.  The temptation is that things taken that don't belong to us are somehow more satisfying than the things that are ours.  Christ is the living water and the bread of life freely given, but those that would tempt us tell us that there is something sweeter and more satisfying.  Verse eighteen declares, But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.  This is simply a warning that instead of bringing satisfaction, giving in to these temptations leads not to joy, but to death and hell.  If we are saved by Christ, we will not end up in hell, but we will become dead to good works and the joy of salvation in this world.

Proverbs 9:1 says, Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:  Wisdom does not come from or live in man made structures.  Wisdom comes from and abides in God alone.   Everyone is invited to live in the place prepared by the wisdom of God.  The only ones excluded from coming to God and to gain His wisdom are those who refuse to believe.  Verse two states, She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.  Through accepting the wisdom of God, we are invited in to feast with Him.  God prepares the feast for us.  We cannot prepare the feast for God, because everything is already His.  Likewise, we cannot find our own way to God, but must accept His call to come to Him through Christ.  Verse three says, She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,  God's wisdom cries out to us from the highest places.  I believe that even though the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are to look up to God for guidance in everyday life.  This is the only way to live in wisdom.  Verse four adds, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,   We are all simple in our own ability to understand the ways of God, but if we accept His call to salvation, to enter into the feast of forgiveness and everlasting life that He has prepared, we will not be turned away.  Then, we can begin to gain the wisdom of God.  Verse five invites us, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.  Though Christ had yet to be born, we know that even before His birth that He was already the only way to salvation.  We also know that shortly before His death, that Jesus, the Christ or Messiah, said His body was the bread of life and His blood, represented by the wine, was the only way to forgiveness.  This verse makes reference to Christ years before He came to earth.  Verse six says, Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  The foolish would be anyone who teaches anything that opposes the word of God.  We cannot even attempt to reconcile the two, as for example saying we believe in creative evolution.  We must believe either that God created as His word says He did, or believe in the cosmic explosion as the creative force.  Verse seven declares, He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  I believe that this means that there is no need to argue with those who go out of their way to discredit God.  This doesn't mean that we are not to witness, but that we are not to spend our time arguing with those who not only will not believe, but also deny that God, or His word, even exist.  Only God can change them to make them receptive.  Verse eight adds, Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  This is a continuation of the same concept.  Scorners will hate us,, but wise men will welcome correction.  Verse nine concludes, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  The wise, those who know God through Christ, will learn from correction and not resent those who offer it.