Proverbs 4:1-27
Wisdom Is Supreme
1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said,
"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
We are taught many things by our fathers...We learn things from our teachers and also from mentors and bosses...We learn things from friends...We learn things from authors, ministers, and others...We must remember the things taught to us by our parents, teachers, and others...Wise men are respected by most in all societies...When we are wrong we must not argue over being corrected...
We are told here in Proverbs that wisdom will protect you and guard over you...That wisdom is supreme, and know the importance of understanding... Once you understand things, it is like giving someone a fish or learning how to fish...If you understand how to fish, you can feed yourself for a lifetime...Wisdom requires discipline, understanding, knowledge of the Bible, and these are united in happiness...
Evil maybe the fastest, easiest, and simplest way to make decisions...We must learn to make good decisions...When we have a big decision to make, think what would my father, and parents wanted me to do...What decision would my best teacher want me to make...Remember, your parents and teachers always want what is best for you...Think, how will this decision affect me short term, medium term, and long term (five, ten, and twenty years from now)...Then pray to God, in the name of Jesus, and ask Him...God is love...He cares for each of us...He wants us to make the right decision...He wants us to succeed...
The evil one tempts us with short term pleasures and desires...The evil one does not want us to succeed...In our lives we must gain control over our temptations and the corruptions we continue to face...If we don't rule these temptations they can rule us...Studying the Bible and knowing wisdom, and being obedient and disciplined in the LORD are the best ways to gain this control....
St. Peter teaches us (when some are of Jesus' followers are leaving Him) in John 6:68, if they (the Twelve disciples) also want to leave... St. Peter speaks up and says, "LORD where shall we go... You have the words of eternal life...We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God"...St. Peter gives us these words of wisdom...