NOTES for Pro 21:3-21
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. |
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. |
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. |
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. |
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. |
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. |
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. |
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. |
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. |
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. |
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. |
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. |
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. |
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. |
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. |
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. |
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. |
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. |
Hide
To uphold truth means not only not to deceive, not to hide, not to act hypocritically, not to flatter. It also means not to hide ourselves. Very often we hide our sins and our feelings from people and from ourselves. To uphold truth means to stand before people and before Christ. Not to try to hide our face behind a mask of self-justification.
This is hard. It is almost impossible if we are aggressive. If we expect people's judgment and fear it. Our turtle-like ability to hide in our shell makes us constantly expect judgment and accusation. We close ourselves off from mercy. We do not surrender, like criminals who are sure their guilt will not be proven. That is why there is the feeling of being constantly cornered, the constant fear with which it is impossible to live and from which we lock ourselves into depression. Because of it, we also constantly accuse everyone and everything around us.
The mercy we are called to practice is the ability to see other people worn down by fear of condemnation, fear that their real self will be exposed. It is the ability to receive people without distorting real feelings and relationships by this fear. Fear of human warmth. Fear of someone else's love, attention, and patience, which we think we do not need.
We agree to distance ourselves from all that is best in people, driving ourselves into a far and cold corner of the universe. There, it seems to us, the light of Christ, the light of His love that illumines people, will not reach us and will not make us suffer from shame and our own smallness. But when, through the pain of having the mask of deceit torn from us, we gain the whole world, then we gain life, the truth about ourselves, the image of Christ in every person, and the glory of those who have overcome sin and despair.
Readings for 31 March 2026
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
