A kindhearted woman gains honor,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
These 3 verses go together for me. I'm intrigued by the switch that happens between woman and men in the first one. Its the second line that gets me. Ruthless men gain only wealth. In my current role, I have the option to be ruthless. I can make or break people. I can have people out the door in 1 day, if I choose. And, in some cases, I will gain wealth by acting in that manner. But this verse is a good warning.
The next verse says that kindness towards other benefits me. I like that. That feels much better than the previous.
crazy take today.
tp
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
ReplyDeletebut the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
I think I'm generally ok at controlling my tongue but this is a good reminder. As I find myself in a position at work where there is some high tension around yet another major re-org. I hear myself sharing more cutting thoughts about people making changes I don't agree with. Not sure this is where the verse is talking but its where it spoke to me today. Keep my negative comments to myself. If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all.
Looks like we are both getting lessons applicable to our work life out of this message. I would say it says ONLY wealth, which I took to mean only financial benefit on earth which is fleeting.
knut