The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel.

Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning. 

They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair. They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful. 

These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated, so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise.

To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. (Good News Translation)

At the beginning of this year, if you like making new year’s resolutions, or are looking for a good practice to adopt, I have a suggestion: Consider committing yourself to the reading, reflection, and study of the biblical proverbs. At the least, read a chapter of Proverbs every day throughout this month. Since there are 31 chapters, and 31 days in the month of January, you have a guide in what to read every day.

The pursuit of wisdom is a noble aspiration for the New Year. One of the best places to go in that pursuit is the biblical book of Proverbs because it is all about living wisely and not foolishly. To acquire and live by wisdom means learning how to grow in being right, just, and fair in all our interactions and dealings with others.

Honest

“Honest” is “right” or “righteous.” For King Solomon of old, this is a relational term – to be righteous, to have honest and right relationships with God and other people. Righteousness involves experiencing peaceful, harmonious, and fruitful relations. 

For the Christian, right living is to know the wonderful freedom and joy of an unhindered relationship through Jesus Christ in dependence upon the Holy Spirit. When it comes to fellow human relations, a person characterized by righteousness does not, for example, let the sun go down on their anger. It is to know personal peace as well as to be a peacemaker, so that relationships do not remain strained, but enjoy harmony.

Just

“Just” is closely related to “right.” We might tend toward primarily understanding justice as a punitive act – and that is certainly a part of the term. God punishes the wicked with appropriate timing and wisdom; and deals with those who withhold righteousness and love through their uncaring, inattentive, or evil acts. 

Solomon understood justice as mostly concerned with providing a person with the necessities of life. So, for example, if someone is hungry and needs food, or does not have clean water to drink, it is a “just” act for us to provide those critical needs. God is deeply concerned for justice, and expects people to act in this same manner.

Fair

“Fair” is to be egalitarian. Fairness and equity binds righteousness and peace together by avoiding prejudice toward others and their needs. It means to not show favoritism because there is an unshakable belief in the equality of all people, no matter where they are from, what they do, or who they are.

Therefore, if we exercise righteousness and justice exclusively with individuals and groups we like, but ignore others in need, there is no fairness. To give our love and service to all persons without strings attached, or without being concerned to get paid back, is the practice of being fair in everything we do and say.

To live in the way of being honest, just, and fair in all our interactions is to be wise. Conversely, the classic fool is one who judges others, creates discord, and ranks persons according to their own personal standard of who deserves help, and who does not. Trying to have a useful and gracious conversation with a fool is like trying to reason with a toddler – you will get nowhere. 

A good way of pursuing the wise and biblical virtues of honest righteousness, restorative justice, and egalitarian fairness is to ask God to open our eyes to those within our sphere of influence who need both physical and relational needs met. Then, follow through by loving those persons for whom God brings into our lives.

Almighty God, the essence and source of wisdom, you are always right, just, and fair in all things. I praise you for your infinite and abundant wisdom.

Whereas you abound in wisdom, I am lacking. Please help me to grow in wisdom, as I increase in my knowledge and respect of your divine presence.

By means of your Spirit, please increase my depth of insight as I study your Holy Word. Hold me back from leaning on my own understanding and enable me to wholeheartedly embrace the wisdom from above.

Since you are a just God who shows no favoritism, lead me into being like you in my dealings with others through the example of Jesus Christ, in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Amen.