Proverbs 30 and 31

Proverbs 30 has an interesting section VII, called Numerical Proverbs.  The verses name two things, then three, then four but never really ties them all together.  This feels like poetry to me.  It looks lovely, but I am missing the all-important key to unlock the code.

Proverbs 31 has the most interesting section of all of Proverbs, section IX:  The Ideal Wife.  I was extremely happy to see that "She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands" (31, 13), and that "She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle" (31, 19). I am a knitter who loves to work with fine wools and fibers.  If the Ideal wife does this, I am in good company.  It also says "She rises while it is still night" (31, 15), and "at night her lamp is undimmed" (31, 18).  I get up early and try to stay productive to the end of MOST days.  She also "picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard" (31 16).  So the Ideal wife is also a gardener.  I am good with all of this.  There are any parts of this section that do not pertain to me, but I hit on a couple, so even if I am not an Ideal Wife, I am probably at least a pretty good wife.

Proverbs 29

This is the last chapter of "Thee Just and the Wicked" section.  One verse spoke loudly to me today:

29, 21:  If a man pampers his servant from childhood, he will turn out to be stubborn.

This verse can be applied to our dog, Abbie.  She was supposed to be a hunting dog, but turned out to be extremely gun shy.  Therefore, she is our pet. I have spoiled her - and she is stubborn.  I love her with every bone in my body, but she has the personality of a willful teenager.

The Word of the Lord interpreted for dog trainers...

Proverbs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

I am behind on my writing and reading, so the following are verses that spoke to me while catching up on my reading:

Proverbs 23, 12:  Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 24, 27:  Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can establish your house.

Proverbs 25, 11:  Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at a proper time.

Proverbs 25, 14:  Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.

Proverbs 26, 22 (same as Proverbs 18, 8) :  The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.

Proverbs 27, 8:  Like a bird that is far from its nest is a man who is far from his home.

Proverbs 28, 13:  He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy.

Proverbs 28, 19:  He who cultivates his land will have plenty of food, but from idle pursuits a man has his fill of poverty.
Same as Proverbs 12, 11:  He who tills his own land has food in plenty, but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool.

I need the Proverb about procrastination!

Proverbs 22

I have found that I frequently highlight verse 11 as I am reading the book of Proverbs chapter by chapter.  In Numerology, 11 is a master number.  It is also the number of the day I was born, thus is my second favorite number.  Proverbs 22, 11, has two master numbers, 11 and 22.  It is the one verse in the first 16 verses of this chapter that is clean and simple, yet speaks volumes since we all want to be loved by the Lord. 

Proverbs 22, 11:  The Lord loves the pure of heart; the man of winning speech has the king for his friend.

Verses 17-29 are titled, "Sayings of the Wise."  According to the footnotes, they are arranged in strophes instead of couplets.  The arrangement does not specifically speak to me, but the different styles are worth noting.

• Strophe: a rhythmic system composed of two or more lines repeated as a unit; especially:  such a unit recurring in a series of strophic units.  strō-fē, rhymes with "agree":  
• cou·plet:  two lines of poetry that form a unit; two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usually by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance

Verse 22, 17-18:  "Incline your ear, and hear my words, and apply your heart to my doctrine; For it will be well if you keep them in your bosom, if they all are ready on your lips."  

Wisdom shared by teachers becomes knowledge for the person willing to accept training.  When this training is internalized by the student, the wisdom serves as a guide for the student's soul.  The student is now an intern of the knowledge, who can become wise if the training is applied and practiced.  The wise soul guides the path of the student's daily activities as well as the words and actions of every day.  

Proverbs 21

It looks like we are going to get into the "how to be a good wife" series of verses.  As most married people know, marriages have peaks and valleys.  Currently my husband and I are living in a valley, so while these verses are very good, I am going to caution myself against saying much about them.

The good wife series verses in Proverbs 21 are:

• 21, 9:  "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman."  In the notation for this verse, there are seven similar verses noted if you want more information.
• 21, 19:  "It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife."

While I believe it is important to be a good wife, and I believe I do a pretty good job, the verse best suited to me today is 21, 23:

• Proverbs 21, 23:  "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble."   

This verse provides a similar reference (13, 3).  Verse 13, 3 provides another reference to 18, 7.  Verse 18, 7 brings us back to 21, 23.  In the information technology world that I live in, we call this a circular reference, which can also be known as an "error message."  I think for today I will just list the similar verses and leave well enough alone, for as my Grandma used to say, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

• Proverbs 13, 3:  "He who guards his mouth protects his life; to open wide one's lips brings downfall."  
• Proverbs 18, 7:  "The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life."  

Proverbs Chapter 20

There are several different lines of thought in the verses that spoke to me today.
20, 1:  Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.
20, 3:  It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
20, 5:  The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.
20, 12:  The ear that hears, and the eye that sees - the Lord has made them both.
20, 22:  Say not, "I will repay evil!"  Trust in the Lord and he will help you.
20, 29:  The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.

I like the gray hair comments.  Perhaps that is enough for today.

Proverbs - Chapter 19

Many of today's verses were confusing, so I marked several of them for later contemplation.  Today is not a day to sit and ponder what I do not understand, as I have timelines to meet, and people who will be expecting me to be ready for action.

There were two verses that were easily understood at my current level of understanding.

Proverbs 19, 21:  "Many are the plans in a man's heart, for it is the decision of the Lord that endures."
I make plans, and God laughs.

What I must do is listen and live.
Proverbs 19, 20:  "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise."

Last night was Pastor Tim's retirement party.  He filled the room with over 250 family and friends.  They praised his wisdom.  They praised his life's work, his daily devotions to the word of God, his ministry, his contribution to God's teachings, the way he loves with God as his example.  Pastor Tim made plans and God endorsed them.  He listened to the word of the Lord, received the instruction, and lived his life according to the Word.  He is a good example.  I only wish that someday, I may be so wise.

Proverbs 17 and 18

Proverbs 17:
17,3:  The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the Lord
17, 9:  He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends.
17, 14:  The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!
17, 17:  He who is a friend is always a friend, and a brother is born for the time of stress.
17, 22:  A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
17, 24:  The man of intelligence fixes his gaze on wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
17, 28:  Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he closes his lips, intelligent.

Proverbs 18:
18, 10:  The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.
18, 12:  Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
18, 13:  He who answers before he hears - his is the folly and the shame.
18, 15:  The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
18, 16:  A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.
18, 19:  A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.
18, 24:  Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.

L3:  He who is late to work too many days in a row, loses his job.  (aka - get moving!)

Proverbs 16 - Maxims for Good Living

Proverbs 16:3:  Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:7:  When the Lord is pleased with a man's ways, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:9:  In his mind a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:11:  Balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights used with them are his concern.

Proverbs 16:20:  He who plans a thing will be successful, happy is he who trusts in the Lord.

Proverbs 16:23:  The wise of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the persuasiveness of his lips.

Proverbs 16:24:  Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body.

Proverbs 16:31:  Gray hair is a crown of glory.  It is gained by virtuous living.


Grandma and Mom both had books of maxims that spoke to them and were the words they used to teach us, and to live their lives.   My sisters and I have carried on the habit of gathering maxims and the verses above are well worth adding to the collection.

There is so much wealth and wisdom within these verses that they speak for themselves.  (Plus I am behind and need to write about two more chapters!)

Proverbs 14 and 15

So many Proverbs, so little time.  In the middle of summer, my garden consumes great amounts of time.  However, I know better.   Last year I did not spend much time in my garden, yet produce still arrived in over-abundance.  I have been reading the chapters of Proverbs, thus fulfilling the assignment from Lora, marking verses that strike me, but not writing about it, so the verse in Chapter 14 that needs to be lifted up is: Proverbs 14:23:  In all labor there is profit, but mere talk tends only to penury.

• Penury:  extreme poverty; destitution
• There is my life.  I work, I do things, yet I have always wanted to be a writer.  Yet, being a writer is mostly "mere talk" when it comes to the daily decisions of how to spend my days.  It is the last thing that I "let" myself do in the face of all other work that calls my name.
• Thus my excuse for not writing my daily blog - thus my penury.

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:13:  A glad heart lights up the face, but my mental anguish the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15: 15:  Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:17:  Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

So much to write about - so much.  I have been experiencing days of grief over losing my Mom in November and the scars on my heart have been re-opened.  My friend/sister, Shelley, continues to pray for me and tries to keep me lighthearted despite the anguish.  She portrays a life of a feast, thus is a good example that even when life throws things at us that are hard and depressing, life is our daily feast from God.  And thus, it is better to have a dish of herbs with love, a lovely image portraying a plate full of God who loves us and helps us through the daily difficulties.

Proverbs 12 and 13

Reading one chapter a day was a great idea.  Chapters 12 and 13 are jam packed with great verses, so i think it would be a good practice to repeat reading a verse a day every July.  Since there are so many awesome verses, I am going to pick a verse or two from each chapter as to fortify and encourage wise behavior in this current stage of life.

Proverbs 12:11:  "He who tills his own land has food in plenty, but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool." I took this verse literally yesterday and now have three blisters on my hands, and aching muscles from spending six hours in the garden.  It looks so much better today and the tomatoes and cucumbers will be so much nicer since they are staked, so I know there will be plenty to share as well as to eat.  However today, the second part of the verse continues to prod me on...  "but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool."  Today my bones ache, my hands hurt and I am tired.  The temptation to sit on the couch, knit and nap is great.  Yet, if I would put in some quality time in the garden today again, we could have fresh green beans and cucumbers for supper, and the vine crop will have a chance to see more sunshine if the four foot tall weeds are removed from the fenceline. The temptation to be idle is great, yet this verse tells me not to be idle.

Proverbs 13:11:  "Wealth quickly gotten dwindles away, but amassed little by little, it grows."  When my Mom died last year, I put $2,000 of the money I received from her in a checking account.  She used to give me a $20 bill when I would pick her up and take her places "to pay for my gas."  I always told her she didn't have to do that, but she would ignore me and put the money in my car's dashboard.  It frequently came in handy when I needed cash, but there were many $20's that ended up in my secret stash and are still there.  However, the $2,000 ran out this week.  I used the money to treat myself periodically - buy yarn, get my hair done (many times), buy more yarn, etc.  There is something different about money you accumulate slowly vs. that given to you in a larger chunk.  The $2,000 is gone, yet I still have some of the $20's she gave me.

Proverbs 13:20:  "Walk with the wise man and you will become wise.  but the companion of fools will fare badly."  I am blessed to have friends and family who possess wisdom, who make wise choices and encourage similar behavior.  Walking with them makes me a better person and I am grateful for their presence in my life.

Proverbs 10-11: Part II of the book of Proverbs: First Collection of the Proverbs of Solomon

My bible describes Solomon's proverbs as 375 proverbs meant to be distinct from the others developing one idea through contrasting parallelism in chapters 10-15 and a climactic treatment in 16-22.

These verses remind me of Grandma's quotes, and Mom's quotes, and Linda's quotes.  Different quotes speak differently to us depending on the times in our lives and what we need to hear, so I'm going to put in a few of my favorites from Proverbs 10-11.

10, 12:  Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses.
10, 19:  Where words are many, sin is not wanting, but he who restrains his lips does well.
10, 22:  It is the Lord's blessings that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it.
10, 23:  Crime is the entertainment of the fool; so is wisdom for the man of sense.
11, 5:  The honest man's virtue makes his way straight, but by his wickedness the wicked man falls. (brings us back to making a straight path!)
11, 12:  He who reviles his neighbor has no sense, but the intelligent man keeps silent.
11, 13:  A newsmonger reveals secrets, but a trustworthy man keeps a confidence.
11, 22:  Like a golden ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman with a rebellious disposition.
11, 23:  The desire of the just ends only in good; the expectations of the wicked is wrath.
11, 24:  One man is lavish yet grows still richer; another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.
11, 25:  He who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Good stuff dear Solomon.

Chapter 9 - The Two Banquets

This chapter has lots of content!

1. The two banquets - Wisdom's (1-6, 11)  with seasoned meat and wine, inviting the simple to her table, and Folly's (13-18) with stolen water and secretly gotten bread and guests of the nether world.
2. Verses 7-9 covering how to interact with arrogant or wicked men, and with wise men
3. Verses 10 and 12 (because verse 11 is between 6 and 7) discussing the beginning of wisdom and understanding (through fear of the Lord and knowledge of the Holy One).
4. There are also some great words:

op•pro•bri•um (7)
 noun \-brē-əm\
: very strong disapproval or criticism of a person or thing especially by a large number of people
: something that brings disgrace
: public disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious

fol•ly (13)
 noun \ˈfä-lē\
: the lack of good sense or judgment
: a foolish act or idea : foolish behavior
: a very unusual or fancy building that was built in a garden for decoration or amusement in the past

inane (13)
adjective \i-ˈnān\
: very silly or stupid
: empty, insubstantial

The best story about Wisdom's banquet came from Shelley's e-mail yesterday describing the banquet that the Lord has put out for her and her family.  Many good things were served, some hard things were included, but the banquet was definitely served by wisdom, and received in the way of understanding.

Proverbs Chapter 8 - The Discourse of Wisdom

This was a refreshing chapter after reading about all of the temptations of adultery.  Wisdom was with God at the beginning of time, when the world was formed - In the beginning when God formed the Heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1).  Wisdom is greater than gold and silver.  Those who have wisdom have great wealth.  Wisdom comes with experience, strength and understanding.

I have issues with this verse:  "By me kings reign, and lawgivers establish justice; By me princes govern, and nobles; all the rulers of earth." (15-16)  I am not so sure that Wisdom rules lawgivers in the United States.  If that were true, would we not be in a better state than we are?  The Republicans bash the Democrats and vice versa.  The IRS has different rules than the laws of the land.  Our media covers bad news to get better viewership.  Where is the wisdom in our lawgiving system?  Perhaps the answer to this lies in the gender balance of our current rulers.  There are more men than women serving as elected officials, so if we revert back to the first lesson in Chapter 1, we know that wisdom is female, so maybe we need more women in lawgiving positions.  That's a pretty big stretch of logic, but is worth considering.

Verse 17 says, those who love me, I also love, and those who seek me find me.  With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity."  What greater wealth do we want or need?

This is a good chapter.  Today was a good day.  I have five different spiritual friends with whom I interacted today:

1. Spiritual in the Catholic church - spiritual in that she loves Jesus and follows his teaching.
2. Spiritual in Catholicism - strong backgrounds, strong beliefs, long held beliefs
3. Spiritual in the ways of God - in what is right, and just and decent.
4. Spiritual in the ways of the earth, of Buddha, of oneness with the Universe. 
5. Spiritual in the ways of loving with all her emotions - with empathy, caring and loving. 

I am rich.  Rich with friendship, rich with friends who understand Wisdom, rich with life's experience that have taught me that Wisdom is wealth and life itself.

Proverbs 7

Again we hear advice against adultery to the young man.  She is sweet and soft and he is stupid.  I'm ready for a new lesson.

Proverbs - Chapter 6 - Miscellaneous Proverbs

This chapter has made me work harder than other chapters.

According to the footnotes, verses 1-19 should be part of chapter 30, so I read chapter 30.  It's a little like reading the last chapter of the book before you get to the end, so I decided not to try and merge all of those thoughts.

Verses 1-19 are helpful.

• 1-5 remind me of Grandma's statement, neither a borrower nor a lender be - or if you do need to borrow, pay it back ASAP
• 6-11 say work hard like the (female) ant and don't be lazy.
• 12-15 describes an evil person
• 16-19 finally give us some meat - the seven things that are an abomination to the Lord.  The thing that makes me wonder is - which of these seven are the six things the Lord hates?

1. Haughty eyes
2. a lying tongue
3. hands that shed innocent blood
4. a heart that plots wicked schemes
5. feet that run swiftly to evil
6. false witness who utters lies (perhaps this is the same as #2 so there are really only 6 things)?
7. he who sows discord among brothers

Then, of course, verses 20-35 go back to adultery focusing more on not having adultery with a married woman because the payback is worse than with an unmarried woman.

Proverbs 5 - Warning against Adultery

I read and re-read this chapter trying to find something to write about, and what I found were groups of verses.

1. An adulteress is tempting, but in the end, "her paths will ramble, you know not where" (6).  From previous chapters, (3:6), we are told that if we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, he will make straight our paths.  Verse 21 tells us that the Lord surveys all our paths.  The analogy of paths is helpful for understanding the goal.  
2. Verses 11-14 describe the results of being an adulterer, "I have all but come to utter ruin, condemned by the public assembly." (14).  Verses 22-23 give more results, "he will die from lack of discipline, through the greatnesss of his folly he will be lost.
3. Verses 15-17 describe adultery using water and fountains.  Drink from your own well, don't disburse your water, and don't share your fountain with strangers.  If you want to go there, the fountain could be compared to an ejaculation, that you should not share with anyone but your own good and beautiful wife, 18, 19, 6, 22.  Drinking from your own well could be taken as satisfying your sexual thirst with your own spouse.

Verse 6, 22 is located between 19 and 20, and the notes say this chapter is transposed from chapter 6, 22.  The topic of adultery is discussed again in Chapter 6, and chapter 22 is missing, so more about adultery tomorrow!     

Word study for the day:  Reproof:  an expression of blame or disapproval.  

Proverbs Chapter 4: The Supreme Guide

There are two sections in this chapter and two specific points came to me.

One:
v7:  "The beginning of wisdom is:  get wisdom at the cost of all you have, get understanding."   In my mind you can learn (get) anything.  Whether or not you choose to use the learning, or apply it is a choice.  However, understanding comes with life's experiences, with application of what you learned.  Mostly, understanding comes with life's lessons of hardship that create wounds on your heart and soul.  As the wounds heal and scars form, understanding deepens and grows.  Understanding continues to expand as the same life's lessons occur for other people in your life, especially if you choose to assist them on their journey of understanding.  

Today's word to study is the same word defined the other day, "didactic" - used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted.  Hardships, grief, and trouble in your life are unwanted.

My life's lessons have included illness and death of both of my parents.  My parents were good teachers, and they taught us wisdom, but the understanding that came with the scars on my heart and soul via their deaths were unwanted.  So, this brings up a question about verses 8-9:  Since these are lessons we do not really want to learn - what is the crown?  Thankfully, the answer was already described in Chapter 3:  Long life, peace, sweet rest, which by the way, the evil do not get (for they cannot rest unless they have done evil; to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep.) (16)

Two:

The second primary thought about this chapter is to shun evil:  Verses 15-19:  Shun evil people as they are wicked and violent.  So why is it that our society today considers violence and evil as entertainment?  Violent serial TV shows, violent movies about evil people, violent games children play on their electronic toys and violence on the news are things that people view during their times when they want to relax,have fun and rest.  My vote is to go with the direction provided in verse 15:  "Shun it, cross it not, turn aside from it, and pass on."

Proverbs 3: The values of wisdom

Proverbs 3 has three sections:

1. Attitude toward the Lord
2. The Value of Wisdom
3. Attitude toward Fellow Men

I like the number three, so we have a good start.  

Many benefits of wisdom are defined in this chapter.  

1. Many days and years of life (2) / Long life (16)
2. Peace (2), her paths are peace (17)
3. He will make straight your paths (6), her paths are peace (17), a secure way and your foot will never stumble (23), he will keep your foot from the snare (26)
4. Health for your flesh (8), Vigor for your bones (8)
5. Barns full of grain and overflowing vats of wine (10)
6. Riches and honor (16), kindness (34)
7. Happiness (18)
8. You need not be afraid (24), Sweet sleep (24)
9. Blessing of your dwelling (33)

Nothing in life comes free, so for all of these benefits, there is a price.  

1. Forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands (1)
2. Be kind (3), be mindful of him in all your ways (6), fear the Lord and turn away from evil (7)
3. Trust in the Lord, not yourself (5)
4. Honor the Lord with your wealth (9)
5. Appreciate His corrections when they come (12)
6. Give others what is good for them (27), do no evil to your neighbor and do not quarrel without cause (29)

Today's word for study is:  Reprove: (verb) to criticize or correct (someone) usually in a gentle way.

Proverbs - Chapter 2 - The Blessings of Wisdom

Today's thought:
Good words in today's chapter!   Proverbs 2:2-3 provide names or aspects of the same gift:  Wisdom, Understanding, and Intelligence.  Verses 10-11 add two more descriptions:  Knowledge and Discretion.  Wisdom contains a large body of aspects.  I am certain more names or descriptions will be revealed in future chapters.

My Bible's introduction to Proverbs, describes the book as, "an anthology of didactic poetry forming part of the sapiential literature of the Old Testament." 

Words for today:
di·dac·tic
 adjective \dī-ˈdak-tik, də-\

: designed or intended to teach people something

—used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted

 

sapiential (ˌseɪpɪˈɛnʃəl; ˌsæpɪ-)

adj

1. showing, having, or providing wisdom

ˌsapiˈentially adv

 

Proverbs - Chapter 1

My dear friend, Lora, sends out a daily bible verse via text  message.   When I read the verse she sent from Proverbs 31 - The Ideal Wife, I had to comment, which is when she assigned the book of Proverbs as my July homework.  One chapter a day.  Two of my friends, Shelley and Liz, were invited to participate as they are good Christian women who can provide valuable insight.

I wanted to document the study, and provide a place to share our thoughts.  Interestingly enough, the book of Proverbs is referred to as a "Book of Wisdom."  So, my blog name, Wisdom in small bits, seemed a good place to document and share.

There are a lot of words in the readings that are not frequently used in day to day 2014 language, so I decided to enlarge my vocabulary by including interesting words and their meanings, copied from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.  My hope is that the definitions will bring additional clarity to the reading.

My disclaimer to this blog post series is that my thoughts are human, and perhaps even a bit snide, but once written provide evidence of completed homework assignments.

Thought #1
Proverbs 1:20-21...  "Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the open squares she raises her voice..."  Ah yes - Wisdom is a female.  Amen I say - AMEN.
Proverbs 1: 2-6...  "That men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of intelligence..."  Dare I say it?  That men may learn from women.

I admit it.  I am a sexist person - favoring the female race as stronger, smarter, tougher, more loving, more generous and infinitely more caring.  The fact that this book starts out honoring women makes me want to cheer, and then to continue to read.

Of special note, the Bible I will be using for this study is The New American Bible, the Bible that was given to me when I went through RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiation), with my dear friend Lora.  It is a book approved by and distributed by the Catholic church, which I dearly love.  While I am not currently a practicing Catholic, the Word of grace is ours.

Today's study words are:

Proverbs 1:9:
1.       di·a·dem, noun, 1. a crown.  2.  a cloth headband, sometimes adorned with jewels, formerly worn by Oriental kings. 3.  royal dignity or authority.
2.       torque, noun, Also, torc. a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

Proverbs 1:22
3.       in·an·i·ty, noun  1. lack of sense, significance, or ideas; silliness. 2.  something inane. 3. shallowness; superficiality.

Proverbs 1:23
4.       re·proof, noun  1.  the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking. 2. an expression of censure or rebuke.   Synonyms   1. rebuke, reproach, remonstrance, chiding.