Exhortation to Various Virtues.
THE HAPPINESS OF POSSESSING TRUE WISDOM. — V. 13. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, obtaining it with eagerness and holding it securely, and the man that getteth understanding, drawing or digging it out, even with much labor.
V. 14. For the merchandise of it, the act of gaining or acquiring wisdom, is better than the merchandise of silver, such as men are eager to accumulate, and the gain thereof than fine gold, even though it be of the finest and purest kind.
V. 15. She is more precious than rubies, or corals, gems of the greatest costliness; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her, wisdom surpassing them all by far. Compare Job 28, 18.
V. 16. Length of days is in her right hand, as a reward to those who accept and exercise true wisdom; and in her left hand riches and honor, all the blessings of true prosperity being dispensed by her.
V. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, with never a disagreeable feature to mar one’s enjoyment of true wisdom, and all her paths are peace, without the strife and alarm found where human wisdom is proclaimed.
V. 18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, her fruit preserving life, so that living is a blessing; and happy is every one that retaineth her, keeping a firm hold upon this wonderful species of knowledge learned from the Word of God.