Proverbs 29:15 says, The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  I believe that this is another directive that parents are charged with teaching their children how to behave properly.  We cannot just leave them to do whatever makes them happy in the moment, but must teach them to do what is best for them, even if it is painful for them at the moment.  Verse sixteen states, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.  When the wicked of the world, those who will not acknowledge God's authority over them, multiply, then transgressions, or sins, multiply.  Still, those who are righteous, or follow Christ, will one day see the fall of those who are wicked.  Verse seventeen says, Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.  When we teach our children to follow God's will in their lives, and they do so, they will be a delight unto our soul.  Verse eighteen declares, Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  As God's people, we should have a vision of what God expects of us and the world.  If we, as followers of Christ, lack a vision of what God wants the world to be, then those around us may perish in their sins.  Verse nineteen states, A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.  Matthew Henry says this means that some servants simply will never be corrected, no matter what is done to them.  Even if they understand what is being said to them, they will not answer by obeying.  Verse twenty asks, Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.  We, as followers of Christ, should always think before we speak.  We need to make sure that what we are saying is what God would have us say and what brings honor and glory to Him.  Verse twenty-one says, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.  Servants who are treated fairly all their life can become as sons or daughters.  This is the way God treats all who will accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  Though we are but servants, we become God's children.  Verse twenty-two says, An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.  People who act out of anger tend to stir up strife, or cause problems.  Acting out of anger can cause a multitude of sins.  We are always to act out of love for others if we are following God's guidance.  Verse twenty-three declares, A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.  When people act out of self pride, they are putting themselves above God.  We as followers of Christ are to humbly serve Him so that He will get the glory and not us.  Verse twenty-four says, Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.  If we join with a thief in his or her actions, we are doing so at the risk of our soul, or everlasting relationship with God.  I do not believe that cursing means profanity, but means speaking against God.  Verse twenty-five states, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.  We cannot put our faith in people or submit to them in fear when they are doing something against God's teachings, but we can find safety in following God's will.  Verse twenty six declares, Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.  We may seek to look good in the eyes of those who are in power in the world, but God is the ultimate judge, so it is He Whom we should be following.  Verse twenty-seven states, An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.  We should be honoring those who follow God's teachings if we are to be honorable people.  Righteousness or morality should matter.

Proverbs 29:1 says, He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.  People who will not be corrected, or listen to God's word, will one day suddenly find themselves without remedy, or a way to attain forgiveness.  Verse two says, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.  Though this should be true, I am not sure that it always is.  Sometimes it seems that as long as those in power do what at least a large number of people want, then it doesn't matter if the leaders are righteous or not.  Of course, it could mean that when the leaders are righteous, then the righteous rejoice.  Verse three says, Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.  This is just another call for us to live by the wisdom of God if we are to bring joy to our earthly parents, if they themselves live by God's wisdom.  Verse four declares, The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.  This is a warning that just as honest rulers establish a country, dishonest rulers, those who take gifts or bribes to enrich themselves, can lead to the downfall of a country.  Verse five states, A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.  People who will say anything flattering to win the approval of their neighbor will ultimately prove to be a trap for them.  Those who use false praise to win our approval are only interested in what is best for them.  Verse six declares, In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.  Sin has its own trap, but if we follow the will of God we can rejoice in His presence.  If we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will never fall into sin's traps.  Verse seven says, The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.  Once more, we have a call to be concerned about the poor, if we are righteous, or followers of Christ.  Those who do not follow the leadership of God, usually have no concern for the poor.  Verse eight states, Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.  When those in power scorn God, they will ultimately lead a city, or country, into ruin.  If it doesn't happen before, it will happen at God's judgment day which is to come.  Verse nine says, If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.  There is no way to reason with a fool, someone who denies God, and find rest, or peace.  Verse ten declares, The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.  Those who do not believe in God tend to hate, or at least dislike, those who do.  Those who are just, or are followers of Christ, will want to lead people to His salvation and thereby save their souls.  Verse eleven states, A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  Those who are foolish, or not guided by God's judgment, will say anything that comes to their mind no matter what.  Those guided by God, or the wise, will allow the Holy Spirit to direct their speech and will not utter foolish and hurtful things.  Verse twelve says, If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.  Those who rule by listening to lies will have servants, or those that they rule over, who are wicked.  Those who are ruled over will tend to take on the characteristics of those who rule them, especially if neither is following the leadership of God.  Verse thirteen declares, The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.  There will always be those who are poor and those who are rich through deceitfulness, and they will encounter each other in life.  Just being poor does not mean a person is following God's will, nor does being rich mean that a person is not.  God calls all, rich or poor, to come to Him out of love for them.  Verse fourteen states, The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.  Once again, the king, or ruler, who treats the poor with compassion and care will have his or her throne established forever.  I don't believe this means forever in this world.  Treating the poor with respect is a characteristic of those who follow God, and if those in power follow God, they will live forever in His kingdom.

Proverbs 28:15 says, As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.  A wicked ruler is just as dangerous to those that they rule over as a roaring lion or a ranging bear.  Verse sixteen states, The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.  Wanteth means lacking understanding.  Rulers who lack understanding will allow their coveteousness to influence their decisions.  They will do what is best for them and not what is best for those that they rule over.  Verse seventeen declares, A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.  This is a warning against murdering someone.  A murderer should pay for murdering someone, and we are not to help someone who commits murder get away with it.  Verse eighteen proclaims, Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.  We could interpret this to mean that we can be saved by our own goodness, or walking uprightly, but I believe that it means walking under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  If we do not accept Christ and follow God's guidance, we will certainly fall when judgment comes.  Verse nineteen says, He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.  We are to do honest work if we are to have enough bread to eat.  Following after the get rich schemes of others will only lead to our poverty.  Verse twenty states,  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.  I believe that this is simply another way of saying that we should be honest in our dealings with others.  If we are, we will abound in the blessings of God.  Verse twenty-one declares,  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.  We are to treat all people with fairness, no matter who they may be.  Our judgment or treatment of others should never be able to be bought.  Verse twenty-two states, He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.  This is another warning against get rich quick schemes, no matter how appealing they may seem.  Some people will seemingly do anything to get rich, and those riches will always be but temporary.  Verse twenty-three says, He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.  It is better for us to rebuke someone who is guilty of sin than it is for us to flatter them.   Even if people are rich and powerful that does not mean that we are to always to speak of them with admiration.  Of course, this applies to all people, no matter their status in life, but we tend to flatter the rich more than the poor.  Verse twenty-four warns, Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.  We cannot just take what belongs to our parents without their permission and claim that it is okay.  We hear too often about people stealing from or even abusing their parents, and this is never acceptable.  Verse twenty-five declares, He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.  Self-pride leads people to stir up strife, or create problems for those around them.  Those filled with self pride care only about what is best for them.  When we put our faith in God, we will be made fat spiritually, even if we are poor in the eyes of the world.  Verse twenty-six proclaims, He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.  If we are to walk with wisdom, we must follow God's leadership at all times.  If we attempt to rely on our own heart, or understanding, we will never prosper spiritually.  Verse twenty-seven says, He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.  Once more, we as followers of Christ are called on to help the poor.  We are never to just overlook them and pretend they don't exist.  Verse twenty-eight states, When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.  If wicked people are in power, those who follow God may be in danger.  In some parts of the world today, it is dangerous to openly declare oneself to be a Christian.  If these people fall out of power, then it is easier for those who follow God to prosper.  I cannot say when it is right for a Christian to hide their faith, but I am certain that God will let us know.

Proverbs 28:1 says, The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.  The wicked have a guilty conscience, making them think that someone is always after them.  Verse two states, For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.  The world is full of leaders who deny God, and the world suffers for it.  We, as followers of Christ, should be people of knowledge and understanding and stand up against the evil in the world.  Verse three declares, A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.  Poor people too often look down on other poor people.  Even if we are poor materially, as followers of Christ we are rich in His blessings and are called on to share with others as much as we can.  Verse four says, They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.  People who break the law tend to praise others who do so as well.  If we keep the law, especially God's law, we will always stand against evil, even if that evil is done under the pretence of following God's will.  Verse five states, Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.  As followers of Christ, we must understand that this judgment of God is coming, if not in this world, then in the everlasting world to come.  Evil people, those who deny God, also deny that judgment will one day come.  The only way that we can stand redeemed before God is by accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Verse six proclaims, Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.  We are better of poor and under the Lordship of Christ than we are rich in material things without a right relationship with God.  Our relationship with God is all that is everlasting.  Verse seven says, Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.  We can apply this to our earthly fathers, but it is especially true of our heavenly Father.  Obeying the law should always make our earthly father proud, but it will definitely make our heavenly Father proud of us.  Verse eight states, He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.  Matthew Henry says this means that those things gained by dishonest means will not last, and that at some point they may be used to help the poor.  This would mean someone who follows God's will who inherits things that have been attained through dishonest means should use those things to help the poor.  Verse nine declares, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.  We cannot ignore the law, especially God's law, and then expect Him to hear our prayers.  If we expect God to hear our prayers, we must come to Him in honesty and humility.  Verse ten states, Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.  This is a warning against leading the righteous, those who follow God, astray.  If someone does this, that person is setting up their own fall.  Verse eleven says, The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.  Some people equate riches with being wise, but even the poor should realize that true wisdom comes only from God.  Verse twelve states, When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.   When the righteous, those who follow God, rule, a nation prospers for all the people.  This doesn't mean that the nation is rich materially necessarily, but that that there is peace and security in the land.  When the wicked rule, the righteous man is hidden.  Verse thirteen declares, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.  Even as followers of Christ, if we sin, we must still confess our sins to God.  We cannot just claim that they don't matter because we are already forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.  Once more, this fear means having an awesome respect for God.  It is not to be a sometime thing, but a continual one.

Proverbs 27:15 says, A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.  Just as the dripping of rain can become annoying, so can a woman who is contentious, or disagreeable.  Of course, the same can be said of a man who is contentious.  Verse sixteen adds, Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.  A person would be wise to hide a contentious spouse, but it is as impossible to do as hiding the wind would be.  Contentious people will make themselves known, whether anyone attempts to keep them from doing so or not.  Verse seventeen states, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  If used the right way, iron can sharpen iron.  If our friendship is true, it can help sharpen the well being of that friend.  We will always want what is best for them.  Verse eighteen declares, Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  I believe this is a call for us to be diligent in our work and our relationship to others, especially those in power over us.  We are to bring glory to God by our actions and attitude.  Verse nineteen declares, As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.  When we look into water and see our reflection, it can only be a reflection of what we look like.  When we deal with others, it will likewise be a reflection of what is in our heart, or innermost being.  Verse twenty says, Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.  Just as there is not just a certain number of people who can be saved, there is not a set number of people who cannot be saved.  When our lusts and desires cannot be satisfied by what God has blessed us with, then we may be on our way to adding to the number of people in hell.  Verse twenty-one states, As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.  Just as refining brings out silver and gold, so does praise bring out the true character of a person.  We can either accept the praise with humility giving the honor to God, or we can allow it to make us vain.  As followers of Christ, we should always live so that He is glorified and not us.  Verse twenty-two says, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.  This tells us that even if he were ground down to nothing, the fool will not accept the truth of God.  We cannot beat the devil out of someone who will not accept the gospel of Christ.  Verse twenty-three declares Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.  We may not have flocks or herds, but we do have jobs and a calling from God.  We are to be diligent in doing what we are called and employed to do.  Verse twenty-four states, For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?  When we die or Christ returns, we will leave everything behind.  Even before then, we may lose all that we own, because riches really are only temporary.  Ruling families do not rule forever.  We can look at the Russian czars for example to see this.  Verse twenty-five says, The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.  I believe this means that the earth will produce the food that we need in its season.  Verse twenty-six continues, The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.  Not only does God provide a way for us to eat, but He provides a way to clothe us as well.  Verse twenty-seven concludes, And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.  God will meet our needs, and the needs of those who rely on us, if we will only be obedient to Him.  God expects us to faithfully do what He calls us to do, and then He will provide for all our needs.

Proverbs 27:1 says, Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  We cannot live for tomorrow.  We may have great plans, but we cannot even be certain that we will be alive tomorrow.  Verse two states, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  Some people love to tell everyone how great they are, but we are advised to not do this.  Bragging on one's self is never a characteristic that followers of Christ should have.  Verse three declares, A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.  We can easily see that carrying around sand or a stone would weigh us down.  Just as easily, we should understand that the wrath of a fool will do the same.  When a fool feels threatened, he or she will lash out at those whom he or she feels threatened by.  Verse four says, Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?  When people are envious of others, that is when they are the most dangerous.  When driven by envy, people will never be concerned about what is best for the one they are envious of.  Verse five proclaims, Open rebuke is better than secret love.  Matthew Henry says this means that it is better if our friends rebuke our sins publicly than it is for them to remain silent about them out of love.  We should expect our friends to point out our sins out of love and not to just ignore them.  Verse six says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.  I believe that this means that when a friend wounds us by pointing out our faults that we know they do so out of love, but enemies will often flatter us even as they seek to harm us.  We should be truthful in our relationships with others, always looking for what is best for them.  Verse seven states, The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.  I believe this means that someone who has plenty to eat doesn't find even good food particularly appealing, while a hungry person finds almost anything edible to be good.  Verse eight declares, As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.  I don't believe that this means that we are never to leave where we currently live, but that we are to have a safe place to reside.  Matthew Henry says that it means that we are to be satisfied with where God calls us to be.  Paul travelled continually when he was free to do so, but he did so at God's direction.  Verse nine states, Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.  We should value the wise counsel of a friend as much as we do someone who smells nice, which I believe means that we should look beyond just  what is physically appealing and look to what is spiritually good for us.  Verse ten says, Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.  We should be able to rely on our friends who are close to us in times of need or trouble, and they should be able to rely on us as well.  Sometimes, relying on family, especially if we aren't close to them, can create more problems than relying on a friend does, though this should not be true.  Verse eleven declares, My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.  We are to be wise, or acknowledge God, the source of all true wisdom.  If we are, then our parents can be glad in their hearts, if they believe in God.  Verse twelve states, A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.  We should be prudent, or wise, enough to see evil where it exists and avoid it.  I believe that if we are living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will always be able to see evil wherever it exists.  Verse thirteen proclaims,  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,  and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.  This is a warning against being reckless in lending to others without security for the loan.  I don't believe this means that we shouldn't help a person in need, but that we shouldn't lend them money for every scheme they have.  Verse fourteen says, He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.  I believe that this means that a person is not to loudly and continually praise someone who has helped him or her.  We should thank them, but we should not continually praise them, especially if we are doing so only in the hope of getting them to do so again.

Proverbs 26:15 says, The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.  The slothful, or lazy man, hates to have to even raise his hand to feed himself.  God expects His people to be at work sharing His love in the world.  Verse sixteen states, The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.  This sluggard will not listen to the wisdom of seven, or a group, of men, because he believes that he is smarter than they are.  Some people simply refuse to listen to reason, or the truth of God.  We cannot afford to be slothful in our relationship to God.  Verse seventeen declares, He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.  If we meddle in affairs that don't really concern us, we may be hurt.  This doesn't mean that we are to totally withdraw from the world, but that at times we are better off to let others settle their disputes.  Verse eighteen says, As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death   Verse nineteen continues, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?  These two verses tell us that a person who deceives his neighbor, and then brags about it, is just as dangerous as a mad man throwing firebrands or shooting arrows at someone.  Verse twenty states, Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  Just as a fire without wood goes out, so does strife caused by tale bearing or gossip if it is not repeated.  As followers of Christ, we should never add fuel to the fire of discord by gossiping.  Verse twenty-one adds, As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  Those who don't want to agree with anybody just add fuel to the fire of contention.  They love controversy.  Verse twenty-two says, The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  This is a continuation of the warning about the problems caused by the tale bearer.  They cause deep wounds for those they are speaking against.  Verse twenty-three states, Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.  Burning lips, or those that cannot wait to tell tales,  when driven by a wicked heart, are just as deceptive as a clay jar covered with the dross of silver.  Though such a vessel may look good on the outside, it is really not worth very much.  Verse twenty-four says, He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;  Then verse twenty-five continues, When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.  We should never put much faith in what a person who continually puts others down says.  Even if the do speak fair words, we cannot trust what they say because their hearts are not right with God.  Verse twenty-six adds, Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.  Though a people may attempt to hide their evil hearts, when confronted with the truth, their true nature will be revealed.  As followers of Christ, we should never be guilty of speaking badly about another person just because we don't agree with that person.  Verse twenty-seven states, Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.  When we attempt to trap others, we set ourselves up to fall into our own trap.  Verse twenty-eight declares, A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.  Those who tell lies about others hate the ones they lie about.  When we love others as God commands us to do, we will not tell, nor even repeat, lies about them.  We will always seek what is best for others.