Proverbs 16:19-20 “It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud. The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.”

Imagine two types of communities. One continually tries to one up each other, each secretly envious of anything someone else has. The other one joyfully shares the meager provisions they have with each another. Pride makes enemies, not friends.

I typically use the NET Bible in quotations because of copyright issues. However, in looking at the underlying Hebrew, I think that the ESV translation of verse 20 is better: “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Here the “word” could be wisdom, but it’s connection with trusting in the Lord should lead us to think of the Word of God. We discover good and are blessed when we heed the Bible!

Luke 11:27-28 “As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him [Jesus], ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'”

And even beyond that, we are forever blessed when we trust in and obey the living Word of God!

John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.”