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Proverbs 8: Wisdom’s Great Gifts
For people who really want to know, how hard is learning? What about those who don’t want to know?
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Proverbs 8:1–3 Doesn’t wisdom call for those who will listen? Isn’t discernment available to all who want to know?
Wisdom stands at the top of the highest hill, where the paths of knowledge come together. At the gate allowing entrance to the city, she cries out for all to hear.
King James
Proverbs 8:1–3 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
What is the difference between being “naïve” and being “wise”?
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Proverbs 8:4–5 Listen to me, people. I’m talking to you. You who are naïve, be more discerning. If you really don’t know, gain knowledge and understanding.
King James
Proverbs 8:4–5 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
How can we know when insights are relevant and appropriate? What makes it impossible to know?
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Proverbs 8:6 Pay attention, because you can trust my insights to be relevant and appropriate.
King James
Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
For what reasons might a person detest deception and lies?
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Proverbs 8:7 I can speak only the truth, because I detest deception and lies, which are evil.
King James
Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
How can we know when we’re hearing the truth?
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Proverbs 8:8–9 Every word from my mouth is right, intended to help you. None are spun or twisted to misrepresent the truth.
Those who know the truth and how it applies to our lives will confirm that my words are right.
John 16:13 But when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own authority but will say only what he hears. He will reveal to you things to come.
Galatians 1:8 If we, an angel from Heaven, or anybody else preaches a message different from what you first heard from us, let him be judged and condemned.
King James
Proverbs 8:8–9 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
What makes truth, instruction, and wisdom more valuable than money?
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Proverbs 8:10–11 You should know that my instruction is more valuable than silver. Knowing the truth is more precious than gold, for wisdom is worth more than rubies. Wisdom is more important than everything else you might possess.
Proverbs 8:19–21 No amount of gold and silver can equal the value of wisdom, which will lead you on paths of righteousness and truth.
Your love for wisdom will bring a rich heritage and true treasures overflowing.
King James
Proverbs 8:10–11 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 8:19–21 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
How do people become wise?
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Proverbs 8:12 I am wisdom, who lives with knowledge, discretion, and sound reasoning.
King James
Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Is it possible to revere God and not detest evil? Why?
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Proverbs 8:13 To revere the Lord is to detest evil. I hate pride and conceit, lying, and wrongdoing.
Matthew 6:24 You cannot be the slave of two masters. You will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and earthly treasure.
Romans 6:16 Don’t you know that you are a slave to whatever you obey? Either you serve sin and will die, or you serve God in complete obedience, choosing to do what is, to the best of your knowledge, most pleasing to him.
King James
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Is it true that “what we don’t know can’t hurt us”? Why?
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Proverbs 8:14 With sound judgment and sensible advice, my insights are my strength.
King James
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
When they lack wisdom, how do people govern?
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Proverbs 8:15–16 By wisdom, chief executives and administrators govern with righteousness. Effective leaders depend on me for guidance.
King James
Proverbs 8:15–16 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
How does wisdom reveal its love?
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Proverbs 8:17–18 Those who love wisdom will receive its love. In seeking, wisdom is sure to be found with its riches, honor, and glory.
King James
Proverbs 8:17–18 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
What importance did wisdom have before the creation?
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Proverbs 8:22–26 Wisdom was with God at the beginning, before the beginning of his creation. Before Earth was created, wisdom was established forever, born before there were overflowing springs, rivers, lakes, and oceans, before the hills and mountains were lifted up, before land had dirt and grassy fields.
King James
Proverbs 8:22–26 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
How do we know wisdom was present before creation?
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Proverbs 8:27–31 Wisdom was already present when the horizon divided the starry skies above and waters below, when he created clouds and rain that strengthened the ocean depths, when he established sea level and set boundaries for the land.
Wisdom was always at God’s side, rejoicing in his presence, every day taking pleasure in his work, abundantly pleased with the world, such a delightful place for people to live.
King James
Proverbs 8:27–31 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
What kind of wisdom can guarantee a blessing?
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Proverbs 8:32 So now, my children, listen to me. Keep my ways, and you will be blessed.
King James
Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
How do we make ourselves wise?
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Proverbs 8:33–35 Make yourself wise by hearing my instruction. Do not ignore my words.
Listen carefully—as one standing at the doorway, eager to enter—and you will be blessed, for those who find wisdom find life and are favored by the Lord.
King James
Proverbs 8:33–35 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
Why would anyone hate wisdom?
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Proverbs 8:36 Those who don’t find wisdom hurt themselves. Hating wisdom is loving death.
King James
Proverbs 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.