The Skeptics Annotated Bible (482 page)

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

(3.27-31)

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

(3.27)
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

(3.28)
“Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”
Help your neighbor, if you can.

29
Devise not evil against thy neighbour
, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

(3.29-31)
“Devise not evil against thy neighbour … Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”
Don’t devise plots against your neighbor, fight without cause, or imitate an oppressor.

32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but
his secret is with the righteous.

(3.32)
“His secret is with the righteous.”
35 Has there ever been a righteous person?

33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but
he blesseth the habitation of the just.

(3.33)
“He blesseth the habitation of the just.”
33 Has there ever been a just person?

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

(3.35)
“The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”
293 Is wisdom a good thing?

4
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not
; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

(4.5)
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not.”

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

(4.7) “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
293 Is wisdom a good thing?

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

14
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

(4.14-15) “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But
the path of the just is as the shining light
, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

(4.18) “The path of the just is as the shining light.”
33 Has the ever been a just person?