Evening Scripture

Proverbs, Chapter 17
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.

Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Evening Reflection

In a day and age where it seems like words are spewed out publicly by the millions every second of the day, God calls us to choose our words carefully, ones that give life, rather than ones that bring heartache, strife, and disaster. Choosing words sometimes means, too, as Proverbs 17 reminds us, that we don’t say anything rather than reveal someone’s sin and failings, challenging many nowadays in an era of tell-all books and people racing to be the first to expose another’s sin. Tragically, without guidance, our tongues are capable of spouting out words that bribe, lie, deceive, return evil for good, despise, rebel, and more, coming out of a heart that is still learning. Yet, as we grow in our spiritual maturity, we learn to restrain our words and cultivate a calm spirit, rather than expel all we know in the moment. God leads us to hold our tongue at times, discerning His will in situations where words may hurt more than heal.

Instead, we can choose to speak joyful words that lead to life, restoring health to those around us, working like medicine to bring relief to those who are wounded and have broken hearts. Still, it doesn’t mean that sometimes God won’t speak through us to help correct another, but when He does, He leads us in wisdom and discernment. Mostly, God calls us to encourage and uplift one another with words of life, His words that come from His mouth and do not return void but accomplish His will in every situation (Isaiah 55:11).

Evening Prayer

God,
Help me today and every day to choose to speak and write words that give life. While words around me are dark, oppressing, and draining, they lead me to choose words that lead others to You and the life You give to us. Cause me to hesitate and reevaluate any words that try to come out of my mouth or through my writing that would mislead, wound, and drag others down. As David asked of You so many years ago in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,”
Amen.

Evening Scripture
Proverbs, Chapter 17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Children&rsquo;s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool&mdash; how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent&mdash; the Lord detests them both.
Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it? A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool&rsquo;s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Evening Reflection
In a day and age where it seems like words are spewed out publicly by the millions every second of the day, God calls us to choose our words carefully, ones that give life, rather than ones that bring heartache, strife, and disaster. Choosing words sometimes means, too, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/17.html">Proverbs 17</a>&nbsp;reminds us, that we don&rsquo;t say anything rather than reveal someone&rsquo;s sin and failings, challenging many nowadays in an era of tell-all books and people racing to be the first to expose another&rsquo;s sin. Tragically, without guidance, our tongues are capable of spouting out words that bribe, lie, deceive, return evil for good, despise, rebel, and more, coming out of a heart that is still learning. Yet, as we grow in our spiritual maturity, we learn to restrain our words and cultivate a calm spirit, rather than expel all we know in the moment. God leads us to hold our tongue at times, discerning His will in situations where words may hurt more than heal.
Instead, we can choose to speak joyful words that lead to life, restoring health to those around us, working like medicine to bring relief to those who are wounded and have broken hearts. Still, it doesn&rsquo;t mean that sometimes God won&rsquo;t speak through us to help correct another, but when He does, He leads us in wisdom and discernment. Mostly, God calls us to encourage and uplift one another with words of life, His words that come from His mouth and do not return void but accomplish His will in every situation (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/55-11.html">Isaiah 55:11</a>).
Evening Prayer
God, Help me today and every day to choose to speak and write words that give life. While words around me are dark, oppressing, and draining, they lead me to choose words that lead others to You and the life You give to us. Cause me to hesitate and reevaluate any words that try to come out of my mouth or through my writing that would mislead, wound, and drag others down. As David asked of You so many years ago in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/141-3.html">Psalm 141:3</a>, &ldquo;Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,&rdquo; Amen.

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

🎉 Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
🎉 Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce&nbsp;The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Using My Words to Heal Instead of Hurt (Proverbs 17)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/954ddb11-07a5-4511-8791-b4ab00da3680/transcript