February Reading from The Message

Here in Proverbs 13 we start as children and learn to walk with the wise. These powerful reminders on how to live a full life are short and quotable, sure to be the envy of any speechwriter or influencer.

1 Intelligent children listen to their parents; foolish children do their own thing.

2 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation; bullies push and shove their way through life.

3 Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.

4 Indolence wants it all and gets nothing; the energetic have something to show for their lives.

5 A good person hates false talk; a bad person wallows in gibberish.

6 A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.

7 A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.

8 The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.

9 The lives of good people are brightly lit streets; the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.

10 Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.

11 Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off.

12 Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.

13 Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God’s commands and grow rich.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!

15 Sound thinking makes for gracious living, but liars walk a rough road.

16 A commonsense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.

17 Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.

18 Refuse discipline and end up homeless; embrace correction and live an honored life.

19 Souls who follow their hearts thrive; fools bent on evil despise matters of soul.

20 Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Scripture Insight

A Traveling Companion for the Spiritual Journey

My first spiritual director didn’t know he was a spiritual director. He had never so much as heard the term. Neither had I. But our mutual ignorance of the terminology didn’t stop us. We were both doing something for which we had no name. For a summer of Tuesday and Thursday evenings, we met in the prayer room in the church basement, talking, praying, and walking with each other through the daily ups and downs of life.

Since that time I’ve learned how much I need a traveling companion like this for the spiritual journey—and how perilous the journey is without one. Life is a sprawling mountain range of possibilities. Every step of the way is tenuous, and some of the terrain is treacherous. Only the novice would consider making the climb alone.

The Bible that Joins the Contemporary and Ancient…

Here in the Message Prayerful Reading Bible the Bible in contemporary language is placed alongside the ancient Christian practice of lectio divina, or sacred reading. This Bible (and two portions) provides 150 guided reflection and ample space for journaling. Take a look inside…

Learn more about the Prayerful Reading Bible and the six steps of the Lection Divina here – What is Lectio Divina?