Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 20, 2016

“When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 6:12-22.

“12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth,
13 Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
Who points with his fingers;
14 Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil,
Who spreads strife.
15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly;
Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.

16 There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

20 My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
21 Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.”  Proverbs 6:12-22.

——————————–

“2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

“7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true;  they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”

“7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 16:7-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 18, 2016

Proverbs Work Ethic – “She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 6:1-11.

“My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
2 If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3 Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
8 Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 “A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—
11 Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.”  Proverbs 6:1-11.

——————————–

We have heard of the Protestant work ethic.  Rather than broadly looking at it, we will specifically look at the work ethic taught by today’s Scripture and elsewhere in the Proverbs with only the comment that, yes, “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12) penetrating and forming our behavior, work, household prosperity, national prosperity, economics, ethics, social principles, and history.

“10 “A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—
11 Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.”  Verses 10-11.

“6 Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
8 Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.”  Verses 6-8.

“4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.”  Proverbs 10:4-5.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure men.”  Proverbs 22:29.

We will conclude with the description of the excellent wife in Proverbs chapter 31 which may be the best description of this Proverbs Work Ethic (and the Protestant Work Ethic).

“10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.”  Proverbs 31:10-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 17, 2016

“Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, … To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words”

Today’s Scripture comes from Proverbs chapter 5.

“My son, give attention to my wisdom,
Incline your ear to my understanding;
2 That you may observe discretion
And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey
And smoother than oil is her speech;
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 take hold of Sheol.
6 She does not ponder the path of life;
Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.

7 Now then, my sons, listen to me
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her
And do not go near the door of her house,
9 Or you will give your vigor to others
And your years to the cruel one;
10 And strangers will be filled with your strength
And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11 And you groan at your final end,
When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12 And you say, “How I have hated instruction!
And my heart spurned reproof!
13 “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
14 “I was almost in utter ruin
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

15 Drink water from your own cistern
And fresh water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be dispersed abroad,
Streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be yours alone
And not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love.
20 For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress
And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord,
And He watches all his paths.
22 His own iniquities will capture the wicked,
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23 He will die for lack of instruction,
And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.”  Proverbs chapter 5.

————————

God warns us about adultery to protect us from its tragic consequences.

Whereas many churches and denominations treat lightly the subject of adultery, the Protestant Reformed Churches’ position on adultery, marriage, and divorce is firm and one of the pillars of its identity.

At the Home page of its web site, Protestant Reformed Churches state:

“The PRCA also unashamedly embrace our own distinctive doctrines and practices, as the Lord has been pleased to lead us through controversy and battle for the truth in our history.

We declare and defend especially the truth of sovereign, particular grace overagainst the teachings of common grace and the truth of God’s sovereign, unconditional covenant of grace with His elect people and their spiritual children overagainst the teaching of a conditional covenant and a general promise of salvation.

With firm conviction we believe these truths have important implications for the Christian life and for marriage and home life.  Consequently, we also emphasize the godly, antithetical character of the Christian’s life and the life-long bond of marriage.”

If Protestant Reformed Churches have stayed so close to the bulls eye of Reformed Doctrine, then we would do well to consider its position.

Here are links to some articles presented by Covenant Protestant Reformed Church.

Marriage and Divorce

11 Theses on Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery

The Bond of Marriage Established by God is Unbreakable by Man

The Unbreakable Bond of Marriage

Remarriage and Matthew 19:9

The Westminster Confession and Remarriage

Certainly, as this first article concludes:  “Nobody can claim that this is easy.”

But, there is hope!

“11 Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over you, …
16 To deliver you from the strange woman,
From the adulteress who flatters with her words;  …
20 So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.”  Proverbs 2:11, 16, and 20.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 16, 2016

“Incline your ear to my sayings. … Keep them in the midst of your heart.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 4:20-27.

“20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26 Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.
27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.”    Proverbs 4:20-27.

——————————-

“…  Incline your ear to my sayings.  …  Keep them in the midst of your heart.”  Verses 20-21.

“22 For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.”  Verses 22-23.

Do we incline our ear to TV or internet or cell phone?

Or, do we incline our ear to God’s Word, the Bible?

Do we fill our heart with entertainment, news, and gossip?

Or, do we fill our heart with God’s words?

“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?  For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good;  and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.”  Matthew 12:34-35.

But, there is hope!

““For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will put My laws into their minds,
And I will write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”  Hebrews 8:10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 15, 2016

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 4:10-19.

“10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction;  do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.”  Proverbs 4:10-19.

———————-

There is a sharp contrast between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.

“The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.”  Verse 19.

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”  Verse 18.

“The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.”  Isaiah 26:7.

God guides and restores and preserves the righteous.

“I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.”  Verse 11.

“He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3.

“… He preserves the way of His godly ones.”  Proverbs 2:8.

Other doctrine trusts in its own wisdom and will-power to avoid the path of the wicked.
 
But, Reformed Doctrine trusts in the LORD to guide, restore, and preserve them in the way of the righteous.
 
Reformed Doctrine teaches the precious point of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints of Canons of Dordt.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 14, 2016

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 4:1-9.

“Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,
2 For I give you sound teaching;
Do not abandon my instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
4 Then he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
Keep my commandments and live;
5 Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”     Proverbs 4:1-9.

——————————–

“Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!  …”  Verse 5.

So, what is wisdom?  What is understanding? 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10.

And yet, other doctrine believes wisdom is what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that wisdom and understanding is knowing God and what He has done and will do.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”  John 17:3.

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Reformed Doctrine teaches that the LORD is sovereign and exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth from the beginning to the end:  from the beginning of  “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of  “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Other doctrine tries to ignore or minimize these works of God, preferring to cling to its own free-will and wisdom.  “That is not my god!”:  it exclaims.

But, Reformed Doctrine prizes and embraces this wisdom and understanding of a sovereign LORD Who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth.

“8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”  Verses 8-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 11, 2016

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 3:27-35.  Please excuse the brevity and unpolished look of this devotion.  I am on a 3 day vacation in Orlando and am using a laptop computer which is very different than the desktop computer that I almost always use.

“27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
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 harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But He is intimate with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
But fools display dishonor.”  Proverbs 3:27-35.

———————————

“27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.”  Verses 27-28.

I originally intended on not writing this devotion.  I had good excuses.  I am on vacation.  I do not have my own computer to produce it.  I can not produce as long or polished devotion as I normally produce.

But then I meditated on the Scripture above, and I immediately thought:  “I can still do good to my readers to whom it is due.  I should not say to them:  “Come back on Monday for a devotion.”  I have a devotion for them today.”

We all face difficulties which make it more difficult to do the good to others.  But we still can do the good to others to whom it is due.  We should do that good to others now and not make them wait.  Through God’s grace we can and should do it.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:10.

 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 10, 2016

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 3:9-26.

“9 Honor the Lord from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways
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 hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.”  Proverbs 3:9-26.

————————–

Other doctrine is content to rest on its feelings of what is wise.

But. Reformed Doctrine wakes up in the middle of night to read God’s Word.

Reformed Doctrine starts the day to meditate and write on God’s Word.

Reformed Doctrine eagerly seeks that wisdom and understanding.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

“15 She (Wisdom) is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways
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 hold her fast.”  Verses 15-18.

“18 “Riches and honor are with me (Wisdom),
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
20 “I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.”  Proverbs 6:18-21.

“21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.”  Verses 21-26.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 9, 2016

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 3:1-8.

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.”  Proverbs 3:1-8.

—————–

Other doctrine leans on its own understanding and free-will.  Other doctrine has a god who is only a reactor to what man does.

But, Reformed Doctrine truly trusts in the LORD, recognizing that there was nothing in itself that prompted the LORD to be good to it.  Reformed Doctrine has the God of Scripture Who is the Great Initiator:  “even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:5-7.

Reformed Doctrine trusts in the LORD from the beginning to the end:  from the beginning of  “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of  “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Simply, Reformed Doctrine truly believes that the LORD will bless it.

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”  Hebrews 6:13-15.

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:31-32.

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes;  therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-22.

“So then let no one boast in men.  For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come;  all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ;  and Christ belongs to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 8, 2016

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy”

Today’s devotion comes from Proverbs 2:10-22.

“10 For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over 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 delight in doing evil
And rejoice in the perversity of evil;
15 Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
16 To deliver you from the strange woman,
From the adulteress who flatters with her words;
17 That leaves the companion of her youth
And forgets the covenant of her God;
18 For her house sinks down to death
And her tracks lead to the dead;
19 None who go to her return again,
Nor do they reach the paths of life.
20 So you will walk in the way of good men
And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land
And the blameless will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land
And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.”  Proverbs 2:10-22.

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“11 Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over you,
12 To deliver you from the way of evil, …”  Verses 11-12.

“5 Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.”  Proverbs 4:5-6.

“How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.”  Psalm 119:1-3.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26.

Christ is our wisdom.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, …”  1 Corinthians 1:30.

“… our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 1:8.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“… He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”  Colossians 1:22.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 24-25.

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