hope shall perish: for what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Proverbs. In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. He that walketh uprightly walk eth surely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Isaiah. The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Malachi. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance; and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not. On Wisdom*. Proverbs. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; ueither decline from the words of my mouth. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than * True religion, or godliness, is often in scripture represented under the name and character of Wisdomi because it is the highest improvement of human nature, and the best and surest guide of human life. It is thus defined in Job, xxviii, 28, “Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding;" in Psalm cxi. 10, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments;" and in Proverbs ix, 10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Truc Christians are, without doubt, the truly wise men. silver? Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. From the same. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. From the same. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled; forsake the foolish, and live; and go |