| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 My son, if thou receivest my words, and layest up my commandments with thee, |
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| 2 so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and thou apply thy heart to understanding; |
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| 3 yea, if thou criest after discernment and liftest up thy voice to understanding; |
Liftest up thy voice – Many who thus pray for knowledge do not seek it as "hid treasure," and therefore do not find it. R493:2*
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| 4 if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures: |
If thou seekest her – Webster says that "in Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion," religion signifying "any system of faith and worship." R179:1*
Those who are so anxious for truth as to be willing to sacrifice other things to get it are the ones for whom God prepared it. R367:1
Some would rather be always unsettled than go to the necessary labor of "proving" by diligent study of the Scriptures what is good and what is erroneous. Such indifference will expose them to error. R651:6
Some, even amongst the Lord's friends, rebuke others for their earnestness in seeking truth, instead of encouraging it. R2730:4
As silver – Why is the Bible not more plain? Why is gold hid deep in the earth? It is a question of character. Desire, will, energy, determination and faithfulness will be rewarded. R24:4*
When found, silver has to be separated from materials, useful in themselves, but detracting from the value of the silver. So the child of God needs to "rightly divide the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15) R179:5*
What was necessary for our fathers to know of truth is not enough for us to know, any more than the supply of silver at the discovery of America was sufficient for the world at the present time. R179:4*
As for hid treasures – Why hidden? That it may not be found until needed. R179:2*
God has provided truth only for those who hunger and thirst after it. Many are too indifferent or too engrossed with money-getting and pleasure-seeking to dig for the truth. R1832:4
Miners have lights upon their heads and sometimes prostrate themselves in their search. We need to be humble and have our minds illuminated with the spirit. R179:5*
If you would find it you must be ever on the lookout. If you would see its beauty you must brush aside the weeds of error and the brambles of bigotry. If you would possess it you must stoop to get it. R9:1
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| 5 then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God. |
Understand – A duty to find out all Possible of God's "system of faith." R179:2*
Find the knowledge – The Lord will bless every real truth-seeker. For such alone truth was written, to such alone it will be revealed. R501:5
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| 6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
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| 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to them that walk in integrity; |
Sound wisdom – Contrariwise, the spirit of devils produces the spirit of an unsound mind. R2185:2
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| 8 guarding the paths of just judgment and keeping the way of his godly ones. |
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| 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity: every good path. |
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| 10 When wisdom entereth into thy heart and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, |
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| 11 discretion shall keep thee, understanding shall preserve thee: |
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| 12 To deliver thee from the way of evil, from the man that speaketh froward things; |
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| 13 from those who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; |
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| 14 who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of evil; |
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| 15 whose paths are crooked, and who are perverted in their course: |
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| 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words; |
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| 17 who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God; |
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| 18 --for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead; |
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| 19 none that go unto her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life: |
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| 20 --that thou mayest walk in the way of the good, and keep the paths of the righteous. |
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| 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it; |
For the upright – All who desire fellowship with God through Christ during the Millennial age. E30
Dwell In the land – Under the terms of the New covenant. E30
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| 22 but the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful shall be plucked up out of it. |
But the wicked – Who refuse the divine offer of reconciliation. E30
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