The Skeptics Annotated Bible (480 page)

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

(1.26-28) God will laugh at your misfortunes, mock you when you are afraid, and ignore you when you ask him for help. And if you seek him, you will not find him.
300 Can God be found?

26
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

(1.26)
“I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”

27
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you
.

(1.27)
“When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.”

28
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

(1.28)
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.”

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

33 But
whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

(1.33)
“Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Whoever listens to God (or wisdom, or whoever is talking here) will always be safe.

2
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou
incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding
;

(2.2)
“Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.”

3 Yea,
if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

(2.3-5)
“If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding … then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”
300 Can God be found?

6 For
the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

(2.6)
“The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

7
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous
: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

(2.7)
“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.”
35 Has there ever been a righteous person?

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

(2.10-12)

10
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

(2.10)
“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;”

11
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

(2.11)
“Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”

12
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man
, from the man that speaketh froward things;

(2.12)
“To deliver thee from the way of the evil man.”

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

(2.16-19) God warns us about the dangers of “strange women.” Strange men are OK though.