| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars seven. |
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 slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table. |
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| 3 She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city: |
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| 4 'Who [is] simple let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him, |
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| 5 'Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled. |
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| 6 Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding. |
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| 7 The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it shame, And a reprover of the wicked his blemish. |
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| 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee. |
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 to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.
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| 10 The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding. |
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 do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life. |
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| 12 If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned thyself bearest [it]. |
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| 13 A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what. |
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| 14 And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne the high places of the city, |
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| 15 To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths. |
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| 16 'Who [is] simple let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart she said to him, |
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 hidden bread is pleasant.' |
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| 18 And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones! |
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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