Value Divine Wisdom – Proverbs 3:13-35; Proverbs 8:22-31
Proverbs 3:13-35
3 (13) Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding; (14) for gaining wisdom is better than gaining silver, and it is more profitable than fine gold. (15) She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare to her. (16) Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor. (17) Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful. (18) She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; blessed is everyone who holds on to her. (19) By wisdom Jehovah laid the earth’s foundation, by understanding he established the heavens. (20) By his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds drop down their dew.
(21) My son, keep sound wisdom and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; (22) they will be life to your soul and an ornament to grace your neck. (23) Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. (24) When you lie down you will not be afraid; indeed, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (25) Have no fear of sudden disaster, nor of the storm that will sweep away the wicked; (26) for Jehovah will be your confidence and he will keep your foot from the snare.
(27) Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when you have the ability to do so. (28) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away and come back another time. Tomorrow I will give”—when you now have the means to help. (29) Do not plot harm against your neighbor, seeing that he trustingly lives beside you. (30) Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. (31) Do not envy a violent man and do not choose any of his ways; (32) for the man who is perverse is detestable to Jehovah, but his intimate friendship is with the upright. (33) Jehovah’s curse is upon the house of the wicked, but he blesses the house of the righteous. (34) Jehovah scoffs at scoffers, but he gives grace to the humble. (35) The wise shall inherit glory, but fools are “promoted” to shame.
Proverbs 8:22-31
8 (22) Jehovah possessed me at the beginning of his work,* before his deeds of old. (23) I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. (24) When there were no oceans, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water; (25) before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth, (26) when he had not yet made the earth or the fields or any of the dust of the world. (27) When he set the heavens in place, I was there, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, (28) when he established the clouds above and secured the fountains of the deep, (29) when he gave the sea its boundary so that the waters would not go beyond his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth. (30) At that time I was with him, as a master craftsman. I was filled with delight day after day, always rejoicing in his presence; (31) rejoicing in his inhabited earth and my delight was in the sons of men.
*Literally, “his way”
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
