The Way of Wisdom

(Ezra 4:6-16; Esther 1:1-9; Proverbs 1:1-7)

1{2}She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.

2{3}She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:

3{4}Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:

4{5}Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.

5{6}Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.

6{7}He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself; and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.

7{8}Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

8{9}Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.

9{10}The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.

10{11}For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.

11{12}If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.

12{13}A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,

The Way of Folly

13{14}Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,

14{15}To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:

15{16}He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:

16{17}Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant.

17{18}And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

18{10:1}A wise son maketh the father glad: but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother.