We’ll pick out a few interesting proverbs. See verse 4. This is teaching that while an empty stall is easy to keep, the absence of the ox will prevent a harvest being brought in. Surely this is warning that we can have live sin which everything is tidy and in order but it may be very unfruitful. The opposite though is encouraging, where there is a bit of untidiness and chaos, there still can be fruitfulness.

We’re warned of the danger of keeping the company of a fool (v7). Fools can be deceptive and we may be taking in more from bad company than we realise. We need to make sure we have good input into our minds.

Verse 12 is very well known and very wise. We need to judge our thinking and decision making constantly in the light of scripture rather than just on what we feel.

What do you make of verse 13? I think it is saying that people can engage in laughter and outwardly seem joyful, but at the same time in their heart there is much sadness and pain. We need to find in Jesus healing and joy within.