Wisdom - Proverbs 1:1-33

 

"These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

for gaining wisdom and discipline,

for comprehending words of insight,

and for receiving instruction in wise living

and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

To impart prudence to the simple

and knowledge and discretion to the young,

let the wise listen and gain instruction,

and the discerning acquire wise counsel

by understanding the proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,

and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

For they are a garland of grace on your head

and a pendant around your neck.

My son, if sinners entice you,

do not yield to them.

If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood,

let us ambush the innocent without cause,

let us swallow them alive like Sheol,

and whole like those descending into the Pit.

We will find all manner of precious goods;

we will fill our houses with plunder.

Throw in your lot with us;

let us all share one purse”—

my son, do not walk the road with them

or set foot upon their path.

For their feet run to evil,

and they are swift to shed blood.

How futile it is to spread the net

where any bird can see it!

But they lie in wait for their own blood;

they ambush their own lives.

Such is the fate of all who are greedy,

whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.

Wisdom calls out in the street,

she lifts her voice in the square;

in the main concourse she cries aloud,

at the city gates she makes her speech:

 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?

How long will scoffers delight in their scorn

and fools hate knowledge?

If you had repented at my rebuke,

then surely, I would have poured out my Spirit on you;

I would have made my words known to you.

Because you refused my call,

and no one took my outstretched hand,

because you neglected all my counsel,

and wanted none of my correction,

in turn I will mock your calamity;

I will sneer when terror strikes you,

when your dread comes like a storm,

and your destruction like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish overwhelm you.

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

For they hated knowledge

and chose not to fear the LORD.

They accepted none of my counsel;

they despised all my reproof.

So they will eat the fruit of their own way,

and be filled with their own devices.

For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,

secure from the fear of evil.”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:14-15, 7-10

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”  John 12:48

“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, ¹⁸ that in the last times there would come these scoffers whose whole purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. ¹⁹ They stir up arguments; they love the evil things of the world; they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them.

¹⁶ These men are constant gripers, never satisfied, doing whatever evil they feel like; they are loudmouthed “show-offs,” and when they show respect for others, it is only to get something from them in return.

¹³ All they leave behind them is shame and disgrace like the dirty foam left along the beach by the wild waves. They wander around looking as bright as stars, but ahead of them is the everlasting gloom and darkness that God has prepared for them.”  Jude 1:17-19,16,13 (Living Bible version)

“God never sent those men at all; they are “phonies” who have fooled you into thinking they are Christ’s apostles. ¹⁴ Yet I am not surprised! Satan can change himself into an angel of light, ¹⁵ so it is no wonder his servants can do it too, and seem like godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”        (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 LB)

Links

The Greatest Tribulation – What and Why 

The Fallen Star

Satan’s Release  - How? 

Discerning the 10 Virgins/Called, Chosen and Faithful

Seven Pillars of Wisdom 

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