King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 13 notes
1Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
It is an easy error of the righteous, where you do all that is right yet seem to reap little, and the wicked and ungodly prosper in their way.
2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
What does it mean by it is established???
4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
So there is physical strength and mental strength 💪
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
So the measure of one's strength is not when you say you are strong 💪; it is adversity that shall prove it.
11If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
It is akin to the scripture in Ezekiel admonishing the prophet to forewarn men of their sins, lest their blood be upon his head and he be guilty.
I am reminded of the justice of David all through his life, even the justice he brought to Joab, who somehow seems to have escaped justice.
But the long arms of the law under David brought justice upon him even in his old age.
David executed the will and law of God.
12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Wisdom is so important it cannot be overemphasized.
We see the writer use so many different allegories just to drive home the point of how eternally vitally important wisdom is.
And how we must walk in it always.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
And by implication, when the wicked fall into mischief, they rise not again.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
We have been given that firm assurance: the wicked shall not do well.
They may seem to get away with it, but no, not at all; their judgement shall come, and come swiftly.
21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Keep a safe distance from wicked men, lest their ruin become yours.
23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
A very practical note 🗒... Worth noting.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Do not take revenge.
Do not let the wicked take you down their path of wickedness.
30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
The lazy man's end.
Oh yes, when you travel and you run out of money, and there is no one you know,
it is a terrible thing. Even when you have money but your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it is a terrible plight.