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Expanded Comments |
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1 Wisdom hath builded her house;
She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
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Hath builded – Diligently to seek and come to God and form a character like his is to build this house of wisdom. R137:1*
Seven pillars – Faith is fundamental, and the seven graces of 2 Pet. 1:5-7 are as the house that wisdom builds upon it. R136:6*
Not only for beauty, but for strength. R136:6*
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2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine;
She hath also furnished her table:
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3 She hath sent forth her maidens;
She crieth upon the highest places of the city:
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4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
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5 Come, eat ye of my bread,
And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
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6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
And walk in the way of understanding.
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7 He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling;
And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
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8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee:
Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
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Lest he hate thee – "Cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under feet and turn again and rend you." (Matt. 7:6) R2589:2
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9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
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10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy Ones is understanding.
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Fear of the LORD – A proper respect for the Lord and his divine appointments. R4290:3
First, an appreciation of his greatness and our own insignificance; then, respect and love for his graciousness. This kind of fear casts out dread. R4796:3
We must look away from our own narrow thoughts and plans, and allow our mind to dwell on the grandeur of God's character. Thus the divine likeness is traced on our hearts as we study the divine revelation. R1518:3
Reverence of Jehovah. D639; R4796:3, R4841:1
"If any man (Christian) lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally." (Jas. 1:5) R5714:6
This must continue in us. and increase as the years go by. R4486:3; CR40:1
It is a dangerous practice to speak jestingly of the Lord and the Scriptures. R4486:3
Beginning of wisdom – Thus, King Solomon began his reign with a reverent heart, as evidenced by his offering sacrifices at Gibeon. (1 Kings 3:3,4) R4290:6
We, too, have turned aside from service for a time to offer sacrifices to the Lord--our justified self, our will, our time, our influence, our talents. R4292:1
Manifesting itself in the peaceable fruits of righteousness. R1518:3
This fear of the Lord increases as the child of God comes to know his Maker, but it is a gradual process. R4841:2
The educational reforms and instructions of the future will begin with the hearts of men, starting with this lesson so lacking in present-day education, which leads to pride, arrogance and discontent. D639
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11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
And the years of thy life shall be increased.
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12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself;
And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
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13 The foolish woman is clamorous;
She is simple, and knoweth nothing.
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14 And she sitteth at the door of her house,
On a seat in the high places of the city,
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15 To call to them that pass by,
Who go right on their ways:
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16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;
And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
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Turn in hither – Into the way of oblivion, not only in the physical sense, but also in the sense of losing their respect and influence amongst men. E367
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17 Stolen waters are sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
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18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there;
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol. |
Her guests – Dead or dying from diseases due to sensuality, which also hurry off their posterity to the tomb. R2599:4
The depths of hell – Sheol, oblivion, having lost the dignity of manhood. E367
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