20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise [n]the rest of your days.
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
22 What is desirable in a man is his [o]kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
23 The [p]fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, [q]untouched by evil.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer and the [r]naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will [s]gain knowledge.
26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away
Is a shameful and disgraceful son.
27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice,
And the mouth of the wicked [t]spreads iniquity.
29 [u]Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And blows for the back of fools.
Verse 22 is really key here, as Solomon speaks of the many plans that we might have. We come up with all sorts of ideas (v. 21), but following God’s advice is always best for us and our friends, family, customers, etc. That involves kindness, and honesty, and not sacrificing either to become rich. As Jesus would later say, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life,” and the ability to sleep soundly at night. The sluggard isn’t even kind to himself, and the disgraceful son isn’t kind to his own parents. The “rascally witness” shows the utmost lack in kindness by lying about what he has seen, condemning men to prison (or worse). Their reward is clear in v. 29, whether they are found out on this earth, or receive their “reward”, the judgment prepared for scoffers.
It reminds me of an old song that came from Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” And as I see that, it then ties in to other things we’ve seen lately with forgiveness, especially when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. 490 was the answer, implying the same as what Paul wrote to the Ephesian church.
Don’t stop, keep being kind, no matter what man does. Be different, be better, because your Father, your Savior, your God has called you to a higher standard.