Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 15
page 841 | Proverbs 9
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Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.*
“I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the
purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.
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“The LORD formed me from the
beginning,
before he created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their
waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
26 before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.
27 I was there when he established the
heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the
oceans.
28 I was there when he set the clouds above,
when he established springs deep in
the earth.
29 I was there when he set the limits of the
seas,
so they would not spread beyond their
boundaries.
And when he marked off the earth’s
foundations,
30
I was the architect at his side.
I was his constant delight,
rejoicing always in his presence.
31 And how happy I was with the world
he created;
how I rejoiced with the human family!
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“And so, my children,* listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.
But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”
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Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
2 She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite
everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights
overlooking the city.
“Come in with me,” she urges the
simple.
To those who lack good judgment,
she says,
“Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways behind, and
begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.”
1
Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get
an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will
get hurt.
So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.
Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.
10
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of
wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results
in good judgment.
11
Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.
If you become wise, you will be the one
to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the
one to suffer.
12
8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version read and nobles are judges over the earth.
8:32 Hebrew my sons.
9:7-8 When someone tries to help us and correct us, we have two choices. We can either listen and
learn, as the wise do, or we can get angry and rebel, as the mockers do. To mock and hate those who
are concerned for us is to deny that we have a problem. The wise are honest enough to admit there is
a problem and that they need help. Mockers will reject good advice and be overtaken by their sins, while
the wise will learn from it and prosper.