Notes from Linda:
12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
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8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.
I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.
* * * * *
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Notes from Linda:
12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
____________________
8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.
I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.
* * * * *
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verse(s)
Bible Verse(s)
Today
January 4-5, 2026
Stay Away From Bad People
In these verses, King Solomon was teaching his son (and us) some of the do's and don'ts of life:
Proverbs 4:14-15: "Enter not into [or 'don't enter'] the path of the wicked, and go not [or 'do not go'] in the way of evil men [and women and children] [i.e., don't do what they do]. Avoid it [the 'path of the wicked'], pass not by it, turn [aside] from it, and pass away [from it]."
Proverbs 4:16: [Why we should stay away from bad, or evil, people:] "For they [the evil people] sleep not [or 'cannot sleep'], except [unless] they have done mischief [or 'caused harm to others']; and their sleep is taken away [from them, meaning they can't sleep], unless they cause some [people] to fall [into sin]."
Proverbs 4:17: [Evil people 'do mischief' and 'cause some to fall':] "For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence." [And according to Pastor Delany of Salem Bible Church, 'A steady diet of violence, immorality, perversion, and vice {wrongdoing} creates an appetite for even more…'--see note below (*) for a link to the pastor's commentary.]
"1. In this section, [King] Solomon likens [compares] life to a pathway… a road with many turns and twists.
"2. There are many cut offs and forks in the road, and the pilgrim [or traveler, especially someone who travels to foreign lands] must make choices all along the way.
"3. John Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress has this as its theme… pilgrims journeying through life on their way to the Celestial city [i.e., heaven]--with many evil men and seducers trying to cause them to swerve off the straight and narrow way.
"4. Bunyan alludes [refers] to many passages [in the Bible] from the book of Proverbs.
"5. Solomon wanted his son to view life that way--a long journey down a road. This journey requires wisdom, discernment [good judgment], and the ability to make good choices."
____________________
Here are some excerpts from the rest of the commentary:
"• Crime is a game for the criminal… an evil game."
"b. Many criminals are extremely intelligent--consider the hackers on the web [referring to the World Wide Web on the computer]… they have the FBI and CIA confounded [confused]!"
"d. Criminals get a sort of morbid [macabre, gruesome] pleasure from hurting and stealing… it isn't just for the money, it is often for the thrill of it! The web hackers didn't get any money--just the pleasure of causing trouble!"
"b. They [criminals and other bad people] plot ways to obtain the wealth of others…"
"a. Just like some men go to college and study engineering or math, these men study violence…"
____________________
"a. This is the gang life--criminals who get pleasure from inflicting pain and injury on others.
"b. Ex[ample]: an older couple took a wrong turn in Los Angeles a few years ago, into the territory of a notorious [i.e., a famous or well-known] gang. The gang members blocked off the road with barrels so the car could not escape--and they then beat the couple to death--just for the fun of it.
"c. A steady diet of violence, immorality, perversion, and vice [wickedness] creates an appetite for even more…"
____________________
"a. Evil men might come to an inexperienced young man and hope to capture him… make him their victim… infect him with their evil ways.
"b. They may begin by speaking filthy language… to see how he responds. They may continue by showing him some dirty pictures… and eventually lead him to the prostitute…
"c. They may entice [tempt, lure] him with promises of easy money …
"d. They may entice him with strong drink [i.e., alcoholic beverages] or drugs…
"e. Of course, they [the evil men] always begin on a small scale… then on to bigger and better things… more evil… more violence."
____________________
"• You can't walk [or hang around or associate] with evil men and expect that it will not have an effect on you! It will!
"• It will have an evil effect! You will be contaminated.
"• First the evil company is enjoyed; then the evil OF the company is enjoyed."
____________________
If you want to read more of the above-mentioned commentary, go to https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/ and scroll down to "4:14-17."
In these verses, King Solomon was teaching his son (and us) some of the do's and don'ts of life:
Proverbs 4:14-15: "Enter not into [or 'don't enter'] the path of the wicked, and go not [or 'do not go'] in the way of evil men [and women and children] [i.e., don't do what they do]. Avoid it [the 'path of the wicked'], pass not by it, turn [aside] from it, and pass away [from it]."
Proverbs 4:16: [Why we should stay away from bad, or evil, people:] "For they [the evil people] sleep not [or 'cannot sleep'], except [unless] they have done mischief [or 'caused harm to others']; and their sleep is taken away [from them, meaning they can't sleep], unless they cause some [people] to fall [into sin]."
Proverbs 4:17: [Evil people 'do mischief' and 'cause some to fall':] "For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence." [And according to Pastor Delany of Salem Bible Church, 'A steady diet of violence, immorality, perversion, and vice {wrongdoing} creates an appetite for even more…'--see note below (*) for a link to the pastor's commentary.]
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King Solomon's advice: Don't associate or have anything to do with bad people--don't be their friends, don't join gangs, etc. That's the best way to stay out of trouble.* * * * *
*Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church has a good commentary on today's verses. In the introduction, he wrote:"1. In this section, [King] Solomon likens [compares] life to a pathway… a road with many turns and twists.
"2. There are many cut offs and forks in the road, and the pilgrim [or traveler, especially someone who travels to foreign lands] must make choices all along the way.
"3. John Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress has this as its theme… pilgrims journeying through life on their way to the Celestial city [i.e., heaven]--with many evil men and seducers trying to cause them to swerve off the straight and narrow way.
"4. Bunyan alludes [refers] to many passages [in the Bible] from the book of Proverbs.
"5. Solomon wanted his son to view life that way--a long journey down a road. This journey requires wisdom, discernment [good judgment], and the ability to make good choices."
____________________
Here are some excerpts from the rest of the commentary:
"• Crime is a game for the criminal… an evil game."
"b. Many criminals are extremely intelligent--consider the hackers on the web [referring to the World Wide Web on the computer]… they have the FBI and CIA confounded [confused]!"
"d. Criminals get a sort of morbid [macabre, gruesome] pleasure from hurting and stealing… it isn't just for the money, it is often for the thrill of it! The web hackers didn't get any money--just the pleasure of causing trouble!"
"b. They [criminals and other bad people] plot ways to obtain the wealth of others…"
"a. Just like some men go to college and study engineering or math, these men study violence…"
____________________
"a. This is the gang life--criminals who get pleasure from inflicting pain and injury on others.
"b. Ex[ample]: an older couple took a wrong turn in Los Angeles a few years ago, into the territory of a notorious [i.e., a famous or well-known] gang. The gang members blocked off the road with barrels so the car could not escape--and they then beat the couple to death--just for the fun of it.
"c. A steady diet of violence, immorality, perversion, and vice [wickedness] creates an appetite for even more…"
____________________
"a. Evil men might come to an inexperienced young man and hope to capture him… make him their victim… infect him with their evil ways.
"b. They may begin by speaking filthy language… to see how he responds. They may continue by showing him some dirty pictures… and eventually lead him to the prostitute…
"c. They may entice [tempt, lure] him with promises of easy money …
"d. They may entice him with strong drink [i.e., alcoholic beverages] or drugs…
"e. Of course, they [the evil men] always begin on a small scale… then on to bigger and better things… more evil… more violence."
____________________
"• You can't walk [or hang around or associate] with evil men and expect that it will not have an effect on you! It will!
"• It will have an evil effect! You will be contaminated.
"• First the evil company is enjoyed; then the evil OF the company is enjoyed."
____________________
If you want to read more of the above-mentioned commentary, go to https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/ and scroll down to "4:14-17."
In case you're wondering, before adding my comments
in brackets to the above verse(s), I usually refer to Bible
commentaries by Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, John Gill,
and others (which can be found online) and try to summarize
what they say. For verses from Proverbs, I also refer to the
Bible study notes written by Jim Delany, pastor of Salem
Bible Church. Word definitions are taken from online
dictionaries (including Bible dictionaries).
* * * * *
Note: The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and is full of wisdom.
It's been suggested in the past that Christians should get in the habit
of reading one chapter from Proverbs each day, corresponding to
the date of the month. I think it's a great idea and have decided
to follow that advice. The chapter for today is posted below:
Proverbs Chapter 4
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.in brackets to the above verse(s), I usually refer to Bible
commentaries by Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, John Gill,
and others (which can be found online) and try to summarize
what they say. For verses from Proverbs, I also refer to the
Bible study notes written by Jim Delany, pastor of Salem
Bible Church. Word definitions are taken from online
dictionaries (including Bible dictionaries).
* * * * *
Note: The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and is full of wisdom.
It's been suggested in the past that Christians should get in the habit
of reading one chapter from Proverbs each day, corresponding to
the date of the month. I think it's a great idea and have decided
to follow that advice. The chapter for today is posted below:
Proverbs Chapter 4
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 ¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 ¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.