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![I thought about it, and figured someone might get confused and angry because of the topic, so let me clarify: This chapter is about being faithful in marriage and not going after someone who could take everything from you. Anyway, happy reading.
Proverbs 5:1-6 (NKJV) reads:
The Peril of Adultery
[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding, [2] That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge. [3] For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; [4] But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. [5] Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell. [6] Lest you ponder her path of life— Her ways are unstable; You do not know them.
Solomon warns his son, (and the reader), about the “immoral woman.” Her words drip like honey and feel smoother than oil; enticing and pleasant at first. But in the end, she is bitter as wormwood and sharp as a double-edged sword. Her path leads to death; her steps take hold of the grave. Her path is unstable and unknown; those who follow it do not realize the danger.
The Solomon's initial warning is that what appears sweet and inviting can lead to deep ruin. God’s wisdom calls us to see beyond the surface and choose the path that truly preserves life.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreieax4lda5yotcup7h54cj73x7hjp7wzbiovio2o5qxe5gt7piwv6i)
![Proverbs 5:7-14 (NKJV) reads:
[7] Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. [8] Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, [9] Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; [10] Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; [11] And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, [12] And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! [13] I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! [14] I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
Solomon continues his warning: Stay far away from the immoral woman; do not even go near her door.
Why? Because following her path costs everything. You risk giving away your honor and your best years to someone cruel. Strangers may end up with the wealth you worked hard for. In the end, you will mourn when your health is gone, regretting that you hated instruction and refused correction. You will realize too late that you stood on the edge of total ruin, even in public view.
Ignoring God’s wisdom about purity and self-control leads to deep personal loss and lasting regret. Choosing to listen and stay clear protects what matters most.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreihpngdy3wqi6hufquho5ruyrtyngjwfcldq36pcdg5ootcalcwksq)
![Lastly, Proverbs 5:15-23 (NKJV) reads:
[15] Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. [16] Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets? [17] Let them be only your own, And not for strangers with you. [18] Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. [19] As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love. [20] For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? [21] For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths. [22] His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. [23] He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Solomon encourages to find satisfaction and delight in the faithful love of marriage rather than chasing what does not belong to you. Why look elsewhere? God sees every path a person takes. Those who ignore instruction become trapped by their own wrongs and ultimately go astray.
This closing section of the chapter presents God’s design: exclusive, joyful commitment in marriage as the path of wisdom and life, while reminding us that nothing is hidden from the Lord’s eyes.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreiexqtgnjjiqapob66a3iw4jwkon45r4ktg7ccys7tnwbl72yugn7q)
![Proverbs 4:1-9 (NKJV) reads:
Security In Wisdom
[1] Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; [2] For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. [3] When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, [4] He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. [5] Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. [6] Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. [7] Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. [8] Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. [9] She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
Solomon calls his children to listen carefully. He shares the same instruction his own father gave him: treasure these words in your heart, obey them, and you will truly live.
The heart of the passage is this: “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” Wisdom is not mere cleverness; in Scripture it is a sacred gift from God that guards, honors, and crowns those who pursue it above all else. Embrace her, and she will lift you up with grace and glory.
This is more than good advice; it is a sacred invitation into the life God designed. For anyone seeking a fuller, safer, more honorable path, the Bible points here first: seek the wisdom that comes from Him.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreig4gqhlqgvbpny5qik7sbzedwe3y2h32hgzvolmkfg5uz32qorhya)
![Proverbs 4:10-19 (NKJV) reads:
[10] Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. [11] I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. [13] Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. [14] Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. [15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. [16] For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. [17] For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. [19] The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
Solomon continues his counsel: “Hear, my son…and the years of your life will be many.” He has guided his child along wisdom’s right paths; paths that keep your steps steady and free from stumbling. Hold tightly to this instruction, for it is life itself.
But, he warns to stay far from the path of the wicked. Do not even set foot on it. Those who walk there are restless for evil; violence and wrongdoing are their daily bread. Their way ends in darkness; they stumble without knowing why.
By contrast, the path of the just shines like the rising sun, growing brighter until the full light of day.
Choose the way of God’s wisdom, which leads to life and increasing light, and turn from the dark road that destroys.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreieqxoobc4635muuzgsqjviw7jhe7hncdqvrbe5jchpdwmrvz7igze)
![Lastly, Proverbs 4:20-27 (NKJV) reads:
[20] My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; [22] For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. [23] Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. [24] Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. [26] Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. [27] Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
Solomon brings his teaching to a close. He urges his son: give full attention to these words, listen closely, keep them always before your eyes, and store them deep in your heart. Why? Because they bring real life and health to those who embrace them.
Now, here's one of the Bible’s most important instructions: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Guard what shapes your inner life, because everything you do flows from there.
Live with integrity: put away dishonest speech, keep your eyes fixed straight ahead on what is right, carefully consider the path you walk, and stay on course; do not turn aside into evil.
True wisdom is not just knowledge; it is a whole-life commitment to God’s ways that protects the heart, guides the steps, and leads to lasting life.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreig6ruky4ztcsujqwksawlgva6xbz5h54yqrswqdrabpxippuq4zv4)
![Proverbs 3:1-12 (NKJV) reads:
Guidance For The Young
[1] My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; [2] For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. [3] Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, [4] And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. [5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. [9] Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. [11] My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; [12] For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Solomon urges his son: don’t forget these teachings; keep them in your heart. Doing so brings a longer, more peaceful life. Hold tightly to kindness and truth; wear them like a necklace and write them on your heart. This earns favor with both God and people.
Trust the Lord with everything in you. Don’t rely only on your own limited understanding. In every decision, acknowledge Him, and He will guide your path. Don’t think you’re wiser than you are; respect God and turn from what is wrong. This brings health and strength.
Honor God with your resources, giving Him the first and best, and provision follows. Finally, don’t resent His correction. Just as a loving father disciplines a child he delights in, God corrects those He loves.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreiekgucjnbhs2kfq5yfnj73cnqxguftgsagx6v4engijqtp6fk2bia)
![Proverbs 3:13-20 (NKJV) reads:
[13] Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; [14] For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. [19] The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; [20] By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.
Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. What wisdom offers is better than the profits of silver or fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
In one hand she holds long life; in the other, riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths lead to peace. She is like a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and those who hold on to her are truly happy.
The Lord used wisdom to found the earth and understanding to establish the heavens. By His knowledge the deep waters were shaped, and the clouds drop down dew.
In other words, the same wisdom that brings a good and peaceful life is the very wisdom God used to create the world. Seeking it is not just practical, it connects us to the order and beauty woven into creation itself.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreigs4xun464rpbvghnwfa35xs2xjo6ff2xe5fs2ogrw3x6q6eu5eku)
![Proverbs 3:21-26 (NKJV) reads:
[21] My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion; [22] So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. [23] Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. [24] When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. [25] Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; [26] For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
Never lose sight of sound wisdom and careful judgment; keep them close. They will give life to your soul and become like a graceful ornament around your neck.
Then you will walk safely along your path, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; your sleep will be sweet and peaceful. Do not fear sudden disaster or the trouble that comes upon the wicked.
Why? Because the Lord Himself will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from being caught in any trap.
These verses follow the high praise of wisdom in the previous section. You're promised security with the Lord, both in daily steps and in the quiet of the night. When wisdom stays at the center of life, fear loses its grip, and a person can rest knowing they are held. God Himself becomes the steady ground under those who hold on to wisdom.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreignj7waqnp7slfvo5da4sxonsrzdxqyuwvgkvrd6selhev35tjc6a)
![Lastly, Proverbs 3:27-35 (NKJV) reads:
[27] Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. [28] Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. [29] Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake. [30] Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. [31] Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; [32] For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. [33] The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. [34] Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. [35] The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Do not hold back good from people who deserve it when you have the power to help. Don’t tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow,” if you already have what they need. Don’t plot harm against a neighbor who trusts you and lives nearby for safety. Don’t pick fights with someone who has done you no wrong.
Don’t envy violent or oppressive people, and don’t copy their ways. A twisted person is repulsive to the Lord, but He shares close counsel with the upright. God’s curse rests on the house of the wicked, yet He blesses the home of the just. He mocks the arrogant but gives grace to the humble.
In the end, the wise inherit honor, while fools leave only shame behind.
These verses move from trust in God to your relationships with others. Wisdom shows itself in generosity, fairness, and refusing to envy those who succeed through force. God stands with the humble and upright, while the path of the proud and violent ends in disgrace.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreigimhmzvvtpnf7eazbtgrk5hc2nauzwrti7cqb35hjjkgf2jwrzhu)
![Proverbs 2:1-9 (NKJV) reads:
The Value of Wisdom
[1] My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, [2] So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; [3] Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, [4] If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; [5] Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; [7] He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; [8] He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. [9] Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.
This passage is Solomon speaking to his son, but the invitation is open to anyone. It says: if you treat wisdom like a treasure; receiving it, storing it carefully, listening for it, and searching for it the way people dig for silver or buried gold, then you begin to understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you come to know God Himself. Why? Because real wisdom does not come from human cleverness alone. God freely gives it. He is the source of knowledge and understanding. He protects those who walk uprightly, shields them, and keeps them on paths of justice. In doing so, you start to recognize what is right, fair, and good in everyday life.
In short, wisdom is not automatic. It requires intentional pursuit. But when you seek it with energy and honesty, God responds by opening your eyes and guarding your way. The promise is that those who truly look for wisdom will find both understanding and protection.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreidbkcjvxifs5owdvtktf4bztj7thrqus2ammm6pwjhbquigdhkvpm)
![Proverbs 2:10-17 (NKJV) reads:
[10] When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, [11] Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, [12] To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, [13] From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; [14] Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; [15] Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths; [16] To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, [17] Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.
Once wisdom takes root in your heart and knowledge becomes something you genuinely enjoy, it does more than make you smarter; it protects you. Careful judgment and understanding become like a shield, keeping you safe from harmful paths.
It delivers you from people who speak twisted things, who have left the straight road and now walk in darkness. These are people who actually take pleasure in doing wrong and enjoy the crooked ways of the wicked. Their paths are twisted and full of deceit.
Wisdom also protects you from the immoral woman; the seductress who uses smooth, flattering words. She abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the sacred promises she once made before God.
In short, when wisdom becomes part of you, it acts as a safeguard. It helps you recognize and avoid both destructive people and dangerous relationships that lead away from a healthy, upright life.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreift7676ytfukwrtpxs5ygm7t7alphzf3kqebvinhlvmtfyzafvvfi)
![Lastly, Proverbs 2:18-22 (NKJV) reads:
[18] For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; [19] None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life— [20] So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness. [21] For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; [22] But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.
Continuing the warning about the seductive, unfaithful woman. Her house and her paths lead downward toward death and the realm of the dead. Those who follow her do not return; they lose their way back to life. Wisdom’s purpose is the opposite: it frees a person so they can walk in the way of goodness and stay on the paths of what is right. People who live uprightly and blamelessly will remain secure in the land. But the wicked and the unfaithful will be cut off and uprooted.
Basically, the text is saying that certain choices and relationships pull a person toward ruin that is hard to escape. Wisdom, by contrast, guides toward a stable, lasting life. God ultimately upholds those who walk in integrity while the path of unfaithfulness ends in loss.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreifo3usk5otv5xgq5rmslo32zwcdtlps5bky3xg2s3rb3fw7gyyszm)
![Proverbs 1:1-7 (NKJV) reads:
The Beginning of Knowledge
[1] The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: [2] To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, [3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; [4] To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— [5] A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, [6] To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. [7] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
These are the proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel. Their purpose is to help people gain wisdom and instruction, to understand insightful words, and to receive guidance in living wisely, fairly, and justly.
They are meant to give good sense to the inexperienced and knowledge and careful judgment to the young. Even the wise can listen and grow wiser, and those who already understand can gain still more insight, learning how to grasp proverbs, riddles, and the sayings of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Real wisdom starts with a deep respect for God, and these sayings are offered to anyone willing to learn.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreialrevxwj2qbos4ww2dvx32437rxf7rvwsby5hejq72byp7otc45e)
![Proverbs 1:8-19 (NKJV) reads:
Shun Evil Counsel
[8] My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; [9] For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. [10] My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. [11] If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; [12] Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; [13] We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; [14] Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”— [15] My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; [16] For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. [17] Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; [18] But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. [19] So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction and do not abandon your mother’s teaching; they will be like a graceful crown and a valuable chain for you.
If sinners try to lure you, do not go along. They may say, “Come with us; we’ll ambush the innocent, take their goods, and share the loot.” Do not follow them. Their feet rush toward harm, and they hurry to shed blood.
In the end, they set a trap for themselves. Greedy people who chase easy gain end up destroying their own lives.
This warning urges us to honor wise parental guidance and refuse the pull of violent, greedy company, as it will only lead to self-destruction.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreicyukkyppm7kvryxx6nmzobg2q2y5tutjosz5dmr2ddsm2g3eugfa)
![Proverbs 1:20-27 (NKJV) reads:
The Call of Wisdom
[20] Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. [21] She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: [22] “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. [23] Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. [24] Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, [25] Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, [26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, [27] When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.
Wisdom calls out loudly in the streets and public places. She raises her voice at the city gates and busy intersections, saying:
“How long will you simple people love being simple? How long will mockers enjoy their mocking and fools hate knowledge?
Turn when I correct you. Then I will pour out my spirit on you and make my words clear to you.
But because I called and you refused, because I reached out and no one paid attention, because you ignored my advice and would not accept my correction, I will laugh when disaster strikes you. I will mock when terror comes like a storm, when destruction sweeps in like a whirlwind, and when distress and anguish overtake you.”
Here wisdom is pictured as a woman publicly calling people to listen before it is too late. It's made clear that refusing wisdoms invitation leads to painful consequences.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreicdzydds44roppp7aizk4u7t7jfl4gzjb7e52e7hdcffhxzqueuw4)
![Lastly, Proverbs 1:28-33 (NKJV) reads:
[28] “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. [29] Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, [30] They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. [31] Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. [32] For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; [33] But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will look for me earnestly, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose to respect the Lord, they rejected my advice and despised every correction I offered.
So they will have to live with the results of their own choices and be filled with the consequences of their own plans. Turning away from wisdom will destroy the simple, and the careless ease of fools will ruin them.
But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
These verses continue Wisdom’s public call. After people ignore her invitation, a time comes when help is no longer available and you have to live with the consequences. Rejecting wisdom leads to self-inflicted harm, but those who listen find security and peace.
As a side note: remember that when God is talking or being referenced, stuff is capitalized. Like He, Him, His and Me, and My. Thought I'd remind you of that in case you thought God was the one saying this.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreicf34pura5gfmkmj5b2ila5ziz4yqxsgfp6c3ofg5stx5wtidcnde)
![Matthew 22:34-40 (NKJV) reads:
The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?
[34] But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. [35] Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, [36] “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
After Jesus had just silenced another group of religious opponents, the Pharisees gathered. One of them, an expert in the Law, tested Him with a question: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus answered: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
In a culture filled with many detailed rules, Jesus distilled everything down to two simple commands: wholehearted love for God, and the same kind of care for others that we naturally give ourselves. These two form the foundation on which the rest of the Scriptures rest.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreid3l42prkxez7e3gbtoix4wsrbxhcdvqmzvjzhynobnmd4yr6hvq4)
![I Timothy 2:1-7 (NKJV) reads:
[1] Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, [2] for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, [7] for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Paul urges that first of all, prayers of every kind, (requests, intercessions, and thanksgiving), be offered for all people, including kings and those in authority. The goal is that we may live quiet, peaceful lives in godliness and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth.
There is one God and one Mediator between God and humanity: the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. This truth was to be made known at the right time. For this purpose Paul was appointed a preacher, an apostle (he insists he is telling the truth), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
These verses call us to pray widely, even for leaders and those who have hurt us, as it's God’s desire that everyone might find salvation through the one Mediator, Jesus Christ.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreifz2ydl2qgxpqiek3bbblwz2t3iyr7nxn7v5rdfr747db7e4xc4lm)
![Matthew 18:14 (NKJV) reads:
[14] Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
This verse comes at the end of Jesus’ story about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that has wandered off, and rejoices greatly when he finds it. The “little ones” refer to those who believe in Him, especially the humble or vulnerable among them.
God the Father does not want even one of these precious ones to be lost. Just as a shepherd values every single sheep, the Father’s heart is set on seeking and saving each person who belongs to Him.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreihf2qfopsopno5yfwbsgnpl6xrtyclom3r4eqr7ui6v2o2o6kqviu)
![John 6:39-40 (NKJV) reads:
[39] This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. [40] And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Jesus said: This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
These words come as Jesus describes Himself as the true bread from heaven. (Which was referring to when God provided mana from heaven during the Exodus.) He offers an assurance: those entrusted to Him will not be lost, and everyone who looks to Him in faith receives everlasting life, and the promise of being raised up on the final day.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreicb6h36nz3lvalkhohi7qccgkf46i3exd5wts7pn5mdjxwltucmsq)
![Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (NKJV) reads:
[1] Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: [2] While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; [3] In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim; [4] When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low. [5] Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. [6] Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. [7] Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. [8] “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the hard years arrive when life loses its pleasure.
The author is painting a poetic picture of aging: the body’s strength fades, sight dims, hearing dulls, sleep becomes light, and desire fails. A person heads to their eternal home while mourners walk the streets.
Remember Him before the silver cord is loosed, the golden bowl broken, the pitcher shattered, or the wheel at the well broken. Then the body returns to dust, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity.”
This closing passage can be summarized like this: turn toward the Creator while life is still full, because aging and death come to everyone, and everything under the sun is fleeting.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreidypflnmf5axmekg6ld7vchyxyack35tx4jpumvqobdw3fp6kzfva)
![Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 (NKJV) reads:
The Whole Duty of Man
[9] And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. [10] The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. [11] The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. [12] And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. [14] For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Besides being wise, the author, (also known as the Preacher/Teacher), continued to teach the people knowledge. He carefully pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. He sought to find just the right words; words that were upright and true.
The sayings of the wise are like goads that prod us forward, and the collected insights of scholars are like firmly driven nails given by one Shepherd. So, my child, be warned by these. There is no end to the making of many books, and too much study wears out the body.
Here is the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of humanity. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
This brings the book to a close. After all the searching and honesty about life’s emptiness, the author points to reverence for God and living by His ways as the one lasting purpose, knowing that everything, even what is secret, will one day be weighed.
Now, going over this book wasn't meant to depress you, but to help you see that without God, life is pretty meaningless. We all meet the same end, and nothing we obtain goes with us, but with God, our lives have a purpose.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreigmpqufyp5wqw5xafguix465htvedi7ms2bjjjqs5rqmqk6hnjice)
![Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 (NKJV) reads:
The Value of Diligence
[1] Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. [2] Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. [3] If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. [4] He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. [5] As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. [6] In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good. [7] Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; [8] But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.
Send out your resources generously; cast your bread on the waters, and in time it will return to you. Share with many, because you don’t know what trouble may come.
Clouds full of rain will empty themselves; a fallen tree stays where it lands. The person who waits for perfect conditions will never plant or harvest.
Just as you can’t fully understand the wind or how a child forms in the womb, you can’t fully grasp the works of God who makes everything. So sow your seed in the morning and keep working into the evening; you don’t know which effort will succeed, or if both will.
Light is sweet, and it’s good to see the sun. Even if you live many years and enjoy them all, remember the darker days will come, and they will be many. All that lies ahead is fleeting.
He subtly tells us to give generously, not wait for the perfect moment on things, and to remember that there will be good days and bad.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreibuygvpsviucwn4tvflfvbsqqgpjnmpqcimltjbi77mflky4jxaye)
![Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 (NKJV) reads:
Seek God in Early Life
[9] Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. [10] Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.
Young person, enjoy your youth. Let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the desires of your heart and what your eyes see, but know that for all of it, God will bring you into judgment.
So remove sorrow from your heart and put away harmful ways from your body, because childhood and youth themselves are fleeting and empty.
He affirms the goodness of youthful energy and joy, while gently reminding that freedom carries responsibility and that these bright years pass quickly. The author invites us to live fully yet wisely.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreicpbhcpjqujkda5a2lrabmnnpw4ofhr52j53r2yljthr4suwze6um)
![Ecclesiastes 10:1-7 (NKJV) reads:
[1] Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. [2] A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. [3] Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool. [4] If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses. [5] There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: [6] Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. [7] I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.
A few dead flies can spoil a whole jar of fine perfume and make it stink. In the same way, a little foolishness can ruin the reputation of someone known for wisdom and honor.
A wise person’s heart leans toward what is right and skillful; a fool’s heart leans the other way. Even when a fool is just walking down the road, their lack of sense shows everyone what they are.
If a ruler gets angry with you, don’t storm off and quit your post. Calmness and careful response can settle even big offenses.
The author has seen a troubling error that comes from those in power: foolish people are given high positions and honor, while capable, well-off people are pushed aside. He has watched servants riding on horses while princes walk on the ground like servants.
Here, he's offering practical wisdom about how small mistakes can damage a good name, how fools reveal themselves, and how power is sometimes handed to the wrong people, all of which most of us have seen ourselves.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreiez4n22jlhkptjnhbvohuqjuharqw3ze44byddtyollz7noleheaa)
![Ecclesiastes 10:8-15 (NKJV) reads:
[8] He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. [9] He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. [10] If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. [11] A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. [12] The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; [13] The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. [14] A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? [15] The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. The one who quarries stones can be hurt by them, and the one who splits wood risks injury.
If the ax is dull and no one sharpens the edge, more strength is needed, but wisdom brings success. A snake may bite before it is charmed; a constant talker is no different.
The words of a wise person are gracious, but a fool’s lips swallow them up. Their talk starts in foolishness and ends in wild nonsense. Fools also multiply words. No one knows what is coming, or who can say what will happen afterward.
The labor of fools wears them out, because they don’t even know the simple way into the city.
I know it's a little hard to follow, but he's basically saying that careless actions can backfire, preparation and skill matter more than raw effort, and empty talk only harms the speaker. He's warning that foolishness makes even ordinary life exhausting.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreigshz5u3rrvtlvz25w6mkmyt7as7almz5bjp3ecutqx6xcdyajvti)
![Lastly, Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 (NKJV) reads:
[16] Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning! [17] Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness! [18] Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. [19] A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. [20] Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Woe to a land when its king is immature and its leaders feast in the morning. Blessed is a land when its king comes from noble stock and its leaders feast at the proper time; for strength, not for drunkenness.
Because of laziness the building falls into decay, and through idle hands the house starts to leak.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money answers almost everything.
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich even in your private room. A bird of the air may carry your voice, and a winged creature may report what you said.
He closes by warning that immature or self-indulgent rulers harm a nation, that neglect ruins what we have, and that even private words can find their way out. All of which is very true, even in this day and age.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dzsmv5qx6m4o3fisnw57ywfy/bafkreih3jhmjfewganwkhqbsvwsjo5z5jbsycn2mbvxct66nynb6z5lsua)