Without
Counsel, Plans Go Wrong,
But With Many
Advisors They Succeed.
A glad heart makes a cheerful
countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of one who
has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All
the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble
with it. Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and
hatred with it. Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are
slow to anger calm contention. The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway. A wise child makes a glad
father, but the foolish despise their mothers. Folly is a joy to one who has no
sense, but a person of understanding walks straight ahead. Without counsel,
plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. To make an apt answer is a
joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is! For the wise the path of
life leads upward, in order to avoid Sheol below. The
LORD tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. Those
who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who
hate bribes will live. The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the
mouth of the wicked pours out evil. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he
hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body. The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will
lodge among the wise.
No matter what your age, you should
find enjoyment in other people, in admiring what God has done for you, and how
beautiful the earth is. We are here to witness and glorify God. Maintaining
loving relationships and enjoying the basic things of life are more important
than wealth and success. Not all of us will live a long time, but we can all
live well each day – with laughter, the LORD, and the little things in life.
Happiness is
not a destination but a day-to-day journey.
Our Daily
Bread – February 1, 2007