Wisdom
- Invitations of Wisdom
Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly - Proverb 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its
seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has
also set her table. 3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the
highest point of the city. 4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she
says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your
simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked
man incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he
will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man
and he will add to his learning. 10 "The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11
For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your
life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker,
you alone will suffer."
13 The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of
the city, 15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their
way.
16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack
judgment. 17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"
18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are
in the depths of the grave.
The Wise Woman builds her house - Proverb 14
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish
one tears hers down.
2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious
despises him.
3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise
protect them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of
an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out
lies.
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to
the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his
lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the
folly of fools is deception. 9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but
goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its
joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the
upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to
death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man
rewarded for his.
15 A simple man (woman) believes anything, but a prudent man gives
thought to his steps.
16 A wise man (woman) fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is
hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man (woman) does foolish things, and a crafty man is
hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with
knowledge.
19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at
the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many
friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to
the needy.
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good
find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields
folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it
will be a refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning
a man from the snares of death.
28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince
is ruined.
29 A patient man (woman) has great understanding, but a quick-tempered
man (woman) displays folly. 30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever
is kind to the needy honors God. 32 When calamity comes, the wicked are
brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools
she lets herself be known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his
wrath.
|
|