 Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer. 9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; 16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, 22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. 24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, 25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. 26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, 31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Meditation Grace gives strength when we surrender. In wisdom, Daniel stood against rulers of empires, modeling and proclaiming “those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the stars” (Daniel 12:3; Philippians 2:15). Wisdom’s strength saves cities from siege, stronger than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:13-18). Wisdom’s practical power is available today. Wisdom builds houses, fills homes, guides leaders, and launches believers into the heights of life (3-7). Wisdom gives sweet strength to our steps, sweeter than honey straight from the comb. Wisdom’s power promises hope and future to souls who are strengthened by walking in the ways of the Lord (13-14). Wisdom honors authority on earth (21-22) while deriving strength from the Lord’s authority. Walking in wisdom joins the procession of saints who proclaim, “Wisdom and strength are from the Lord” (Job 12:13) and “The Lord is my strength” (Exodus 15:2). With the Psalmist we are invited to hunger for the strength of God, His word and His wise ways (Psalm 119:28). When we discover the sufficiency of God’s grace, we will surrender the perceived strengths of the world, becoming weak in the world’s eyes, but totally dependent on God and His ways. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The strength of wisdom is found in surrender, knowing the sufficiency of God’s grace to be totally dependent on God’s word and God’s ways. Richly Dwelling -Do you consider wisdom of God to be stronger than any strength of this world? Why or why not? -Where do you turn for strength other than to God, His word and His ways? -Where do you need to return to Jesus to rediscover the sufficiency of His grace and the power of His word and ways for your life? Be specific. Key Verse 5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, Comments are closed.
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