Verse 1, 18
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If you are wise, you will listen to the advice of leaders in your life, and you will be respected for this.
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You are being foolish if you don't listen when wise people try to correct you. If you don't listen, this will cause you problems and cause you to be disrespected (more in notes on Proverbs 12).
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Verse 3
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It will help you if you are slow to speak, but it will hurt you if you say whatever comes to mind (James 1:19).
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Assume you will say too much, and prefer to limit your words!
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Verse 4
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If you are a truly productive person, you will achieve your desires and goals.
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But you can know that you are being lazy if you have lots of wants that are unfulfilled.
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Choose to be diligent and hard-working and you will have desires fulfilled.
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Learn how to manage your time, organize your calendar, delegate your tasks, and work urgently. This is diligence in action.
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Verse 7
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Remember that worldly wealth, without obedience to Christ, is worthless.
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Give up whatever you need to, in order to obey the Word, and you will have a wealth of peace and joy, with the true riches of eternal life (Matthew 16:24-26).
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Verse 10
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Remember that conflict comes when people are prideful. If you have conflict with people, you can be sure that there's some pride you're not letting go of.
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If you want to avoid conflict with people, admit your wrongs quickly.
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And if you want to be wise, listen to others!
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Verse 11
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You will gain lasting wealth if you work hard for it. Do not be afraid of hard work.
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But if you try to gain wealth quickly, easily, or dishonestly, you will lose your wealth in the end.
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Verse 12, 19
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People become weak and discouraged when they lose hope. But when people have desires that are fulfilled, it brings them joy and satisfaction.
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If you want to have more satisfaction and joy in your life, make sure that your expectations are biblical, and with focus and hard work, accomplish your goals.
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Don't expect things in life that don't honor God or that you aren't willing to work for, otherwise you will have lots of disappointment!
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Verse 13
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Always treat God's Word with great respect. If you disrespect or don't listen to what the Word says, it will end badly for you.
Verse 15, 21
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Sin attracts bad situations, and it makes life harder and more complicated.
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Repent from sin, and you will effectively avoid most of the pains and troubles of the world (Proverbs 22:5). Much good will be in your life.
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Verse 20
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Make friends out of people wiser than you (who will challenge you) and you will be wise.
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But if you spend all your time with foolish people, or only with people that think just like you, it will end badly.
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Verse 22
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Work hard enough to gain money that you can store up not only for yourself, but for others, especially your children and grandchildren.
Verse 24
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If you're a parent, and you love your children, you will spank them, and you will do it without hesitation.
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Don't delay to discipline your children, otherwise a day will come when it will be too late, and it won't work (Proverbs 19:18).
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This discipline is appropriate any time that a child does what he/she knows is wrong, no matter how young they are.
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Physical discipline is great for teaching a child the way of obedience.
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