How are you at taking advice? In preparation for a Bible Study, I looked for all of the verses in Proverbs that say something about taking advice from people. Take a poke through these... (I included both the New King James and the New Living Translation. For me, I love reading Proverbs out of these two side by side.)
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| | He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. | People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. |
| | The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. | Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. |
| | By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
| | He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. | People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. |
| | The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. | The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. |
| | Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. | If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. |
| | Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. | Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. |
| | A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. | Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. |
| | Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. |
| | He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. | If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. |
| | A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. |
| | Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. | Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. |
| | Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. | If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge. |
| | Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war. | Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. |
| | 5 A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; 6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. | 5 The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. 6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. |
| | 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. |
| | As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. | As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. |
| | He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. | Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. |
Pastor Noel
