Charges to be obedient, to live above the flesh, to devotion, to patience, to be loving and peaceful
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¶ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. .3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. .5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. .6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. |
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- My law But Solomon was not a law giver. The word is "torah" which
is used to designate the five books of Moses. However, it also means "instruction"
which is a better translation here. The NIV reads "teaching."
4 - Good understanding Or "prudence." 5 - Trust in the Lord ... Lean not unto thine own understanding This is an important lesson particularly for those who climb the scholastic ladder. 6 - Direct thy paths In the Hebrew, the "he" is emphasized. If we trust God He will lead us. |
| 7 ¶ Be not
wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. .11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. |
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- Wise in ... own eyes A lesson Solomon forgot
but came back to in later years 1ki1101ff.
8 - Navel Or "body." Mental and physical health (body and soul) go together pr1722. We may work with our Creator. Paul wrote of contentment ph0411. 9 - Substance 9 - Firstfruits ... increase Malachi wrote that faithfulness in tithes and offerings would open the windows of heaven mala0308-12. God promises to rebuke the forces that destroy our wealth. 10 - Barns ... filled Security like money in the bank. 11 - Chastening Except for being with the Lord, hardship is not usually something to be happy about ro0828. Adversity helps us remember our need for Him. |
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¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
.14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. |
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- Wisdom True and full wisdom is a knowledge of God jn1703.
This means more than knowing about Him. Compare the living water
Jesus offered jn0414.
14 - Merchandise ... better We buy merchandise from people. Real wealth is better than sliver and gold. It is from God mt1346, mt0633. 19 - Lord by wisdom Beyond knowing facts. 19 - Founded ... established The wisdom that leads to firm reality ps3306-9. 20 - Broken up We first think of the flood ge0707-10. The word means divided or split apart. God had earlier divided the waters over and under the heavens (sky) ge0106-8. 20 - Clouds ... dew God's way of watering the earth before the flood. |
| 21 ¶ My son,
let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. .26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. |
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| 27 ¶ Withhold
not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine
hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. |
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For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the
righteous.
33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. |
32 - Froward A selfish, strong-willed person. The righteous understand. The word "secret" would be better translated "counsel." |
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