Category Archives: Wisdom and Folly

Traditions / Holidays, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Don’t Be An April Fool

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A lot of people start thinking about fooling people as a way of recognizing “April Fool’s Day”. Some find this fun and some do not. I think it provides an opportunity for us to reflect on what God says about being a fool and test ourselves to make sure we are not a fool in His eyes, in April or any other time.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
13On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding. 14Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
1The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.

Proverbs 14:15-18

15The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

16A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

17A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.

18The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 18:2

2A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

Proverbs 20:3

3Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

Proverbs 20:5

5A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

Proverbs 29:11

11A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

5The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

Titus 3:3-11

1Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

There is much in the Bible to help us understand how to be wise and avoid being foolish. Let us seek not to be fools, no matter what month it is!
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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.
Faith / Trusting God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Money / Finances / Wealth, Purposeful / Intentional, Tongue / Gossip / Slander, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

The Light of the Righteous Rejoices, but the Lamp of the Wicked Goes Out.

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Proverbs 13

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

      2From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is violence.

      3The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

      4The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
But the soul of the diligent is made fat.

      5A righteous man hates falsehood,
But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.

      6Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness subverts the sinner.

      7There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.

      8The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor hears no rebuke.

      9The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked goes out.

      10Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

      11Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But the one who gathers by labor increases it.

      12Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

      13The one who despises the word will be in debt to it,
But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

      14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn aside from the snares of death.

      15Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.

      16Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool displays folly.

      17A wicked messenger falls into adversity,
But a faithful envoy brings healing.

      18Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,
But he who regards reproof will be honored.

      19Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

      20He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

      21Adversity pursues sinners,
But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.

      22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

      23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
But it is swept away by injustice.

      24He who withholds his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

      25The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Contentment, Just, Lying / Deceiving, Marriage, Sloth / Laziness, Tongue / Gossip / Slander, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise, Worry/Anxiety

The Way of Righteousness is Life

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Biblical truth often conflicts with how we see people act in the world around us. One such example is the perception that discipline is only punishment. The Proverbs highlights that those who accept and embrace discipline will learn and become wiser. Having the right attitude makes a big difference. Of course it is hard for anyone to ask for discipline, but in fact in many cases they may be better off if they receive it and it helps them learn and avoid trouble later.

Proverbs 12

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is stupid.

2A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

3A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.

4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

8A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised.

9Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

10A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

12The wicked man desires the booty of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.

14A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

16A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals dishonor.

17He who speaks truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.

18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

21No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.

22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

23A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

24The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.

25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.

26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27A lazy man does not roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a man is diligence.

28In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Giving, Greed, Help / Serve Others, Kindness / Gentleness, Lying / Deceiving, Pride, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked…Again!

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YHWH has a lot to say about righteousness and wickedness. We should listen carefully, ask for His help and turn from wickedness and toward righteousness.

Proverbs 11

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.

2When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.

4Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

7When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of strong men perishes.

8The righteous is delivered from trouble,
But the wicked takes his place.

9With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.

11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

12He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.

13He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

14Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

15He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

16A gracious woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches.

17The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.

18The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

19He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life,
And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

20The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their walk are His delight.

21Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,
But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.

22As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout
So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

23The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

25The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.

26He who withholds grain, the people will curse him,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.

28He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

29He who troubles his own house will inherit wind,
And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.

31If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinner!

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Contrast the Righteous and the Wicked

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These still apply. They are not obsolete. Human nature and what is good or wicked have not changed.

Proverbs 10

Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

      1The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

      2Ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness delivers from death.

      3The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger,
But He will reject the craving of the wicked.

      4Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

      5He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.

      6Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

      7The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.

      8The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.

      9He who walks in integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found out.

      10He who winks the eye causes trouble,
And a babbling fool will be ruined.

      11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

      12Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.

      13On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

      14Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

      15The rich man’s wealth is his fortress,
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

      16The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.

      17He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,
But he who ignores reproof goes astray.

      18He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.

      19When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.

      20The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

      21The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.

      22It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.

      23Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

      24What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

      25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

      26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.

      27The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

      28The hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked perishes.

      29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,
But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

      30The righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not dwell in the land.

      31The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

      32The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Mockers, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Stealing / Theft, Teachable, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Proceed in the Way of Understanding

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You do not need a special invitation from YHWH to seek out His wisdom. It is there, waiting for us to seek it. Will you do so? or will you trust in the ‘wisdom’ of the world?

Proverbs 9

Wisdom’s Invitation

1Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table;

3She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the tops of the heights of the city:

4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks understanding she says,

5“Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6“Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding.”

7He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

9Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

13The woman of folly is boisterous,
She is naive and knows nothing.

14She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,

15Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:

16“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks understanding she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet;
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Arrogance, Eternal, Money / Finances / Wealth, Pride, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Commendation of Wisdom

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I really need add nothing more to explain Proverbs 8. Wisdom, godly wisdom, is worth pursuing and praying for… worth studying the Bible to learn.

Proverbs 8

The Commendation of Wisdom

1Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?

2On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

4“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

5“O naive ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, understand wisdom.

6“Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

7“For my mouth will utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8“All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

9“They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

10“Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.

11“For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.

13“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

14“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.

15“By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.

16“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.

17“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.

18“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.

19“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.

20“I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,

21To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

22“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.

23“From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

24“When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with water.

25“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was brought forth;

26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.

27“When He established the heavens, I was there,
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

28When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,

29When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the water would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

31Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.

32“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed are they who keep my ways.

33“Heed instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.

34“Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.

35“For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the LORD.

36“But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.”

 

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Temptation/Tempting, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Neither Be Nor Pursue the Harlot

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Proverbs 7

The Wiles of the Harlot

1My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.

      2Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.

      3Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

      4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your intimate friend;

      5That they may keep you from an adulteress,
From the foreigner who flatters with her words.

      6For at the window of my house
I looked out through my lattice,

      7And I saw among the naive,
And discerned among the youths
A young man lacking sense,

      8Passing through the street near her corner;
And he takes the way to her house,

      9In the twilight, in the evening,
In the middle of the night and in the darkness.

      10And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.

      11She is boisterous and rebellious,
Her feet do not remain at home;

      12She is now in the streets, now in the squares,
And lurks by every corner.

      13So she seizes him and kisses him
And with a brazen face she says to him:

      14“I was due to offer peace offerings;
Today I have paid my vows.

      15“Therefore I have come out to meet you,
To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.

      16“I have spread my couch with coverings,
With colored linens of Egypt.

      17“I have sprinkled my bed
With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

      18“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with caresses.

      19“For my husband is not at home,
He has gone on a long journey;

      20He has taken a bag of money with him,
At the full moon he will come home.”

      21With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her flattering lips she seduces him.

      22Suddenly he follows her
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,

      23Until an arrow pierces through his liver;
As a bird hastens to the snare,
So he does not know that it will cost him his life.

      24Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

      25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths.

      26For many are the victims she has cast down,
And numerous are all her slain.

      27Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Wickedness / Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

Do Not Abandon My Instruction; Keep My Commandments and Live

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YHWH is a loving Father. Through Solomon, He urges us to pursue wisdom… His wisdom and not the “wisdom” of men. He spends several chapters in Proverbs focused on seeking and valuing wisdom. He also provides specific examples. Rather than me try to summarize or pick out a few key verses, I encourage each of us to read through it and reflect on it prayerfully. Pause and consider each line for a few moments. Don’t simply read through it quickly and move on. Seek wisdom. Start by seeking it in Proverbs today.

Proverbs 4

A Father’s Instruction

     1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,

      2For I give you sound teaching;
Do not abandon my instruction.

      3When I was a son to my father,
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

      4Then he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
Keep my commandments and live;

      5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

      6“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.

      7“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

      8“Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.

      9“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

      10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
And the years of your life will be many.

      11I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.

      12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you will not stumble.

      13Take hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.

      14Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

      15Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.

      16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

      17For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.

      18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

      19The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.

      20My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.

      21Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.

      22For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.

      23Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

      24Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.

      25Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

      26Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.

      27Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Unteachable / Foolish, Wisdom and Folly, Wise

The Rewards of Wisdom

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The rewards of wisdom are to be esteemed and sought after, but let us clearly keep in mind that it is YHWH who defines godly wisdom which we seek. It is not worldly wisdom or the wisdom of men that we seek, for this is often corrupted and leads us away from YHWH.

Proverbs 3

The Rewards of Wisdom

1My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

      2For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.

      3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

      4So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.

      5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

      6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

      7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

      8It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

      9Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;

      10So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

      11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,

      12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

      13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.

      14For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.

      15She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.

      16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.

      17Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.

      18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.

      19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.

      20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.

      21My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

      22So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.

      23Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.

      24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

      25Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

      26For the LORD will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.

      27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.

      28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

      29Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.

      30Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

      31Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.

      32For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But He is intimate with the upright.

      33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

      34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

      35The wise will inherit honor,
But fools display dishonor.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.