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ORIGINAL: kj88il

Chapter 1

The Purpose of Proverbs...or Prologue: Purpose and Theme

1:2 For gaining wisdom and being instructed;
for understanding insightful sayings;

1:2 For attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
1:3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life;
doing what is right and just and fair;

I like the use of the word "discipline" here. I find myself often praying for discipline in my spiritual life..and in many other areas of my life (which we won't go into here, thank you! lol)

1: 5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning,
and a discerning man will obtain guidance -

1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance -


Avoid the Path of the Violent...or Warning Against Enticement

1:8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction,
and don't reject your mother's teaching.

1:8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

I like forsake here, too..."to give up, renounce." Not just rejecting...but not giving up, either. Because learning...and making the right choice...is HARD!!

1:10 My son, if sinners entice you,
don't be persuaded.

1:10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not give in to them.

Don't you find yourself doubting your choices sometimes...and just giving-in to what someone else wants? Maybe if we had a deeper wisdom we wouldn't be so easily swayed.

1:15 my son, don't travel that road with them,
or set foot on their path,
1:16 because their feet run toward trouble
and they hurry to commit murder.

1:15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
1:16 for their feet rush into sin,
they are swift to shed blood.

1:18 ...they attack their own lives.
1:19 Such are the paths of all who pursue gain dishonestly;
it takes the lives of those who profit from it.

1:18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves!
1:19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.


Wisdom's Plea...or Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

1:23 If you turn to my discipline,
then I will pour out my spirit on you
and teach you my words.

1:23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
I would have poured out my heart to you
and made my thoughts known to you.

(But to those who refused, didn't pay attention, neglected Wisdom's counsel and correction...)
1:28 Then they will call me, but I won't answer;
they will search for me, but won't find me.
1:29 Because they hated knowledge,
didn't choose to fear the Lord,
1:30 were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,
1:31 they will eat the fruit of their way
and be glutted with their own schemes.
1:32 For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
1:33 But whoever listens to me will live securely
and be free from the fear of danger.

1:28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me.
1:29 Since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord,
1:30 since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
1:31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.

I wanted to know the exact definition of complacency. Dicionary.com defines it as "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc."

"Burying your head in the sand,'"or accepting the status quo is not only lazy, it is unwise. We all need to be prepared...but without wisdom, we will not be best prepared. We need to study God's Word and apply His teachings to our everyday life so that when we do have to make difficult choices, we can choose wisely.

I like the NIV use of the word "simple." It goes with what I said above, about being lazy...taking the easy way out...either because you don't know....or you don't want to make the effort to learn..in order to make a better-informed, intelligent, WISE decision.

I also like the term "and be at ease." It brings to mind peace.....which is another thing I pray fervently for. I worry and fret when I don't know what to do...or when I fear I've made the wrong choice. Thank God for His Word...and the opportunity to dig in and learn more...and make a better decision the next time!

Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Teacher. Help me to apply what I learn in these scriptures...that I may live a more peaceful life because of the wisdom You impart to me here. And thank You for friends from whom I can learn, too. May we edify one another, Lord.

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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes


Chapter 2

Wisdom's Worth...or Moral Benefits of Wisdom

2:4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,

2:4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

You should have seen us women after Thanksgiving...searching thru all the Black Friday sales flyers for the best bargains on the things we wanted...or suddenly realized we wanted! Why do we not have that same enthusiasm when searching thru God's Word???

2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
2:7 He stores up success for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity
2:8 so that He may guard the paths of justice
and protect the way of His loyal followers.

2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom
and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
2:8 for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.

Wisdom is not a short-term thing. If we search out His wisdom, He will protect us and we shall be victorious!

2:10 For wisdom will enter your mind,
and knowledge will delight your heart.

2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

When we were younger, gaining wisdom (usually associated with studying) did NOT usually delight our hearts, did it? But don't you find now that you're older, you enjoy learning more? And you can see 'longer' how that new wisdom spills over into other areas of your life?

2:11 Discretion will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you,
2:12 rescuing you from the way of evil -

2:11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
2:12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men...

Discretion is not a term associated with the simple or evil...that type usually runs headfirst into a bad situation! But a wise man knows he must exercise discretion; that patience and discipline will be to his benefit.

2:16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,
from a stranger with her flattering talk.

2:16 It will save you also from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

This is a trap I have to guard myself against. Sometimes I want soooo badly to believe the 'flattering talk" or the 'seductive words." I let my self-worth shrink to the point that I forget that I'm a child of God..that I DO possess a certain amount of wisdom...that I am NOT powerless and should not be easily swayed.

2:21 For the upright will habit the land,
and those of integrity will remain in it;

2:21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;

quote:

MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes


Chapter 3

Further Benefits of Wisdom

3:2 (keep my teaching and my commands) for they will prolong your life many years,
and bring you prosperity.

3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.


3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
3:6 in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
3:8 This will bring health to your body
and nourshiment to your bones.

3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
3:10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine..

3:12 becuse the Lord disciplines those He loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

3:14 (wisdom) for she is more profitable than silver
and yields beter returns than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.

3:17 (wisdom) Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

3:18 (wisdom) She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

3:23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
3:24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

3:26 for the Lord will be your confidence...

3:27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.

3:30 Do not accuse a man for no reason -
when he has done you no harm

3:32 for the Lord detests a peverse man...

3:33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous.

3:34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
3:35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools He holds up to shame.

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ORIGINAL: ShallbeRebuilt

Two things:

Re: The money you lent...if you lent it to that person as unto the Lord, then allow yourself to rest in the fact that you made an offering to Him, and He will assuredly repay you.

Re: flattery...nope, once I realize they are insincere, I'm done listening. But that's the problem: I have so much pride (and worldly hunger for flattery and gullibility) that I actually believe the flatterer is genuine for too long before I wake up.

drat it.

shallbe

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Wisdom is not something we're just born with...we are instructed to work at it. Notice the verbs: learn, develop, gain??? God WANTS us to put out a little effort. (And boy...every time I consider going back to school......that scares me!! LOL)

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This is one of those verses that perplexes me. I don't need to be affluent...but I would certainly like to be able to support myself...and maybe even have a little left over to do things with my kids, buy something I want...not just wait til I have no choice but to buy something that fell apart. But is this one of those 'Heavenly' rewards...or can we anticipate some level of wealth while we're here on earth? (And please don't preach about 'love of money.' That would be insulting. I'm not dreaming of winning the lottery...I'd just like to be able to pay my bills AND spend a weekend in Chicago with my kids once in a while.)

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"Happy" is something I've always wanted to be. I remember back in high school...asking my very dear Church friend, "WHY I can't be happy?". Everyone else seemed happy. Sure, we were all going through typical teenage stuff...but they were all usually smiling and laughing. I wasn't somber or morose...but I wasn't "perky," either. "Perky" actually just ticked me off. I still can't understand how so many people seem genuinely happy. I'm just glad to have a few fleeting moments of 'happy'. It truly confounds me. And now I have to ask myself where all that fits in with regard to 'Wisdom.' It makes my head hurt.

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This reminds me of something I read once, "It's not my job to police the universe." It's sooooo hard not to tell someone when they're being wrong, or stupid, or bull-headed. But with some people, it would do no good...only antagonize them. I should just send up a little prayer that God will open their hearts to their own ignorance, and go on about my business, right?