Proverbs 13:13-16 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding gives favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.
‘Good understanding gives favour.’ Seven examples of obtaining favour: Abraham (Gen. 23:10-11); Joseph (Gen. 39:2); Joshua (Jos. 6:27); David (1Sam. 18:14); Abigail (1Sam. 25:3, 18-34); Daniel (Dan. 1:8-9; 6:3) and Samuel (1Sam. 2:26)
‘Hard’ [Hebrew: ’eytan] strong, rough. Sinners suffer more pain and hardships in damning their souls than the righteous do following the path of salvation. The way of the transgressor is hard, desolate, and fruitless.
‘Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.’ The wise man does all things with understanding, but a fool opens himself to folly.
‘But a fool lays open his folly.’ Three examples of opening self to folly: Balaam (Num. 22:29-30); Ahasuerus (Est. 3:10-15) and Herod (Matt. 14:7; Mark 6:23).
Living the Word 