The Beginning of Knowledge
(Ezra 4:6-16;Esther 1:1-9;Proverbs 9:1-12)
1The proverbsof Solomonthe sonof David,kingof Israel;
2To knowwisdomand instruction;to perceivethe wordsof understanding;
3To receivethe instructionof wisdom,justice,and judgment,and equity;
4To givesubtiltyto the simple,to the young manknowledgeand discretion.
5A wise[man] will hear,and will increaselearning;and a man of understandingshall attainunto wise counsels:
6To understanda proverb,and the interpretation;the wordsof the wise,and their dark sayings.
7The fearof the LORD[is] the beginningof knowledge:[but] foolsdespisewisdomand instruction.
The Enticement of Sin
8My son,hearthe instructionof thy father,and forsakenot the lawof thy mother:
9For they [shall be] an ornamentof graceunto thy head,and chainsabout thy neck.
10My son,if sinnersenticethee, consentthou not.
11If they say,Comewith us, let us lay waitfor blood,let us lurkprivily for the innocentwithout cause:
12Let us swallow them upaliveas the grave;and whole,as those that go downinto the pit:
13We shall findall precioussubstance,we shall fillour houseswith spoil:
14Castin thy lotamongus; let us all have onepurse:
15My son,walknot thou in the waywith them; refrainthy footfrom their path:
16For their feetrunto evil,and make hasteto shedblood.
17Surely in vainthe netis spreadin the sightof any bird.
18And they lay waitfor their [own] blood;they lurk privilyfor their [own] lives.
19So [are] the waysof every one that is greedyof gain;[which] taketh awaythe lifeof the ownersthereof.
Wisdom Calls Aloud
20Wisdomcriethwithout;she utterethher voicein the streets:
21She criethin the chief placeof concourse,in the openingsof the gates:in the cityshe utterethher words,[saying],
22How long, ye simple ones,will ye lovesimplicity?and the scornersdelightin their scorning,and foolshateknowledge?
23Turnyou at my reproof:behold, I will pour outmy spiritunto you, I will make knownmy wordsunto you.
24Because I have called,and ye refused;I have stretched outmy hand,and no man regarded;
25But ye have set at noughtall my counsel,and wouldnone of my reproof:
26I also will laughat your calamity;I will mockwhen your fearcometh;
27When your fearcomethas desolation,and your destructioncomethas a whirlwind;when distressand anguishcomethupon you.
28Then shall they callupon me, but I will not answer;they shall seek me early,but they shall not findme:
29For that they hatedknowledge,and did not choosethe fearof the LORD:
30They wouldnone of my counsel:they despisedall my reproof.
31Therefore shall they eatof the fruitof their own way,and be filledwith their own devices.
32For the turning awayof the simpleshall slaythem, and the prosperityof foolsshall destroythem.
33But whoso hearkenethunto me shall dwellsafely,and shall be quietfrom fearof evil.
