To start the year, I’ve been reading my way through the Old Testament book of Proverbs. There are many well-known sayings in Proverbs that come from The Bible. The fact that they come from The Bible is probably not as well-known as the phrases themselves.

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Usually shortened to Pride comes before a fall but it’s from the book of Proverbs.

A friend loves at all times. From the book of Proverbs.

Iron sharpens iron. From the book of Proverbs.

One of my favourite images in Proverbs is of the sluggard:

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

It’s just this incredibly brilliant picture of laziness. So lazy, you won’t even feed yourself.

Something interesting I’m noticing in this read through of Proverbs is that, despite all the sayings of the wise and their instructions, there is an underlying theme which suggests that some people will just never listen to good advice.

No matter what you do or say, they are set in their ways and will not budge.

In fact, Proverbs seems to suggest one shouldn’t even bother trying to change them, as they are not going to listen at any rate.

I guess that lines up with another famous biblical saying: Don’t throw your pearls before swine.

Only difference is Jesus said that one. So, look for it in the New Testament instead of the Old.

Yours proverbially,

Alison