Proverbs 1:1-33 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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Wisdom, Discipline, and Understanding
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I. Purpose and Theme (1:1-7)

Books of Solomon

* See a drawing in a book by Klauber, Joseph Sebastian (1700-1768). This image depicts the biblical books traditionally ascribed to King Solomon: Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Proverbs. In the center Solomon sits behind a spider web, and at the bottom is Christ, the pope wearing the papal triple tiara, and Solomon. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>1. Who is stated to have spoken most of the proverbs in this book? (1, 10:1, 25:1, 22:17, 24:23, 30:1, 31:1, 1 Kings 4:32)

* Proverbs 1:1 "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel"

* "Solomon" -Solomon was the third king of united Israel. He reigned from 970 to 930 B.C. His father was King David. His mother was Bethsheba. 1 Kings 1:1-10:43 and 2 Chronicles 1:1-9:31 record his rule.

* "proverbs" -A common form in wisdom literature where a short, memorable statement is used to give wise advice or counsel. Sometimes designed to provoke a conclusion about the natural world based on experience or observation. Characterized by metaphor, terseness, ease of memorization, and applicability outside its original context. (The Lexham Bible Dictionary and just about every other Bible dictionary)

* Proverbs 10:1a "The proverbs of Solomon..." -Solomon wrote many proverbs. They were collected in this book, excluding the proverbs in Ecclesiastes. The number of his proverbs is listed in 1 Kings 4:32.

* Proverbs 25:1 "These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah"

* Proverbs 22:17 "Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach"

* Proverbs 24:23 "These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good"

* Proverbs 30:1 "The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh-an oracle: This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal"

* Proverbs 31:1 "The sayings of King Lemuel-an oracle his mother taught him"

* 1 Kings 4:32 "He (Solomon) spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five."

* Most of the Ancient Near Eastern wisdom material has been found in some type of poetic structure. Until recent years these structures have been a mystery because they did not seem to rhyme either in meter or sound as modern languages do. However, in A.D. 1753 Bishop Robert Lowth unlocked the key to such poetic writing when he discovered that Hebrew poetry rhymed in thought. Moreover, he surmised that such thoughts were most commonly expressed in parallel patterns. Some of these patterns expressed the same thoughts (Prov. 20:1), while others expressed opposing thoughts (Prov. 10:1), or developed a given thought (Prov. 31:10-31). In time, these parallel patterns were structured into specific forms such as the proverb, riddle, allegory, hymn, disputation, autobiographical narrative, didactic narrative, and lists. No doubt, such beautiful and intricate poetic structure was clearly a mark of the sage and the wisdom schools of his day and age. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

> What are the five listed benefits of these proverbs? (2-6)

* Proverbs 1:2-6 "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise."

* "attaining wisdom" -Wisdom is a key term in the book occuring 41 times. It includes skill in living - following God's design and thus avoiding moral pitfalls. A craftsman can be called a wise (skillful) man (Exodus 31:3). Outside Proverbs the Hebrew words (mashal) is used in the negative sense of "shrewd" or "crafty" (Genesis 3:1; Job 5:13).

* "attaining... discipline" -The original Hebrew word for "discipline" here is "musar" that can also be translaterd "instruction", "chasten", and "correction". The Lord disciplines his people (Hosea 5:2; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19) Discipline is used 18 times in Proverbs. Here discipline is attained through practicing the words of these proverbs. Discipline is not a natural born ability. However, we are born with the ability to be disciplined. Discipline can be applied to the soul (mind, heart) and physical body. The words disciple and discipline are similar for a reason.

* "understanding words of insight" -The original Hebrew words for "understanding" and "insight" is "bin" and "bina". They can also be translated "perceive", "consider", "prudent", "discern", "knowledge", and "wisdom". "Words" is "emer" in the original Hebrew implies speech.

* "acquiring a disciplined and prudent life" -The point of the proverbs presented is to use them as life guides; a means to an end. The end is a structured life-style. When the principles are followed (kept) the author, Solomon inspired by the Holy Spirit, promised a good and pleasing life, much better than if they are not followed.

* "understanding" -Understanding is "bina" in the original Hebrew. "Bina" can also be translated "wisdom", "knowledge", "meaning", and "perfectly". "Bina" is from the root Hebrew word "biyn". Other Hebrew words are also translated as understanding.
Understanding is found many times in proverbs making it a common thread in the book. (1:2,6, 2:3,6,11, 3:5,13,19, 4:1,5,7, 7:4, 8:1,5,14, 9:6,10, 10:23, 11:12, 13:15, etc.)

* "proverbs" -"Proverbs" is "marshal" in the original Hebrew. A "marshal" is in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly a pithy maxim, usually of a metaphorical nature. Hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse). It is a means to teach and reveal.

* "parables" -"Parables" is "melisa" in the original Hebrew meaning "an interpretation" and "a taunt". A "melisa" is an aphorism and a satire; a thought provoking riddle. A "melisa" is from the root Hebrew word "lis" meaning "to make mouths at so as to interpret" and "to be an ambassador", in this case an ambassador of wisdom and knowledge. It is a means to teach and reveal.

Book of Wisdom

* The drawing by an unknown author is titled "Wisdom of Solomon and found in the book "Book of Wisdom". The title of the book is " Biblia cu[m] concordantijs veteris & noui testamenti ex sacrorum canonum". The translation is, "The Bible with the concordances of the Old and New Testaments from the sacred canons". A scholar sits at a desk and writes in a book. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

> Who is it directed to?

* "to the simple" -"Simple" translated from the Hebrew word "pethiy" is a key word in Proverbs, occuring fifteen times. It denotes those who are easily persuaded and who "lack judgment" (9:4, 16), who are immature, inexperienced and naive (19:0). The simple is akin to the mocker.

* "to the young"

* "the wise"

* "the discerning"

> What are each of these to obtain?

* "for giving prudence to the simple"

* "knowledge and discretion to the young"

* "let the wise listen and add to their learning"

* "let the discerning get guidance"

* The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise words, mostly written by King Solomon, the third king of united Israel around 900 BC (1). Solomon's wisdom was a gift of God. The Lord offered him anything when he first became king as a youth. He asked for wisdom so that he could lead Israel. (1 Kings 3:1-15; 2 Chronicles 2:1-17)

Solomon's purpose was to use his Godly gift to help people gain wisdom and discipline. Modern education consists mostly of retaining information and understanding how to use the information. The proverbs of Solomon go beyond. They are for acquiring wisdom, discipline, and prudence for even the simplest mind.

When I ask God to give me a gift I should consider and intend to use it for others as well as for myself. God gives gifts to bring people together and form an interactive and connected community.

Listen to the above comments on Proverbs 1:1-6.

>2. What is the first step of obtaining knowledge? (7)

* Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

* "The fear of the LORD" -The original Hebrew word translated "Fear" is "Yira" meaning "moral reverence" The Hebrew word can also be translated "exceeding dread".

* "LORD" -"LORD" here in the original Hebrew is "YHWH". YHWY, a shorten word (all the vowels are removed) is the covenant name of the God of Israel. After their captivity in Babylon the Jewish scribes believed that the covenant name for their God was so sacred that they were afraid to completely write it. So they removed all the vowels. The NIV has all four letters capital to designates that is "YHWH" in the original text. "YHWH" in modern philosophy is called the Tetragrammaton or Tetragram. It literally means "to be" or "to exist". The LORD told Moses at the burning bush when Moses asked his name, "I am that I am."

* "the beginning of knowledge" -Having a beginning means that it is not the complete recipe. Other actions are needed to obtain wisdom.

* The first step to obtaining wisdom is clearly defined in several places. However, the rest of the steps are not directly pointed to. The Bible does no say, "The next step to wisdom is... the next step is... the final step is." However, this does not mean that the Bible doesn't tell us all that is needed to be wise. The reason the Bible does not use simple recipe style steps is because the explanation cannot be simply stated.

> What does it mean to fear of the Lord?

* Ecclesiastes 12 concludes what fear of the Lord does with the revelation, "For God will bring every deed into judgment. including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

* Fear is a broad range of emotions that embrace both the secular and the religious worlds. Secular fear is the natural feeling of alarm caused by the expectation of imminent danger, pain, or disaster. Religious fear appears as the result of awe and reverence toward a supreme power. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

* "fear the Lord" -Fear the Lord is in both the Old and New Testaments. "Fear the Lord" is repeated many times in the book of Proverbs making it a main subject in the book. (1:7,29, 2:5, 3:7, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:27, 15:16,33, 19:23, 22:4, 23:7, etc.)

The Words of the Teacher

* See a drawing in a book by Luther, Martin (1483-1546). The words of the teacher, the son of David, the King in Jerusalem, are given. This is Solomon. Engraving by Martin Bernigeroth (1670-1733) after the design of Samuel Bottschild (1641-1707). Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

> How is knowledge, wisdom and disciple related?

* "knowledge" -"Knowledge" is translated from the original Hebrew word "daat" meaning "cunning awareness". "Daat" is from the root word "Yada".

* "despise" -"Despise" is translated from the original Hebrew word "buz" meaning "to disrespect" and "utterly condemn".

* "wisdom" -"Wisdom" is translated from the original Hebrew word "hokma" meaning "a good sense of". It can also be translated "skilful" and "wit".

* "discipline" -"Discipline" is translated from the original Hebrew word "musar" meaning "a reproof", "a warning", and "an instruction" joined with the idea of "restraint" and "check".

* Biblical wisdom like that of other cultures emphasizes the success and well-being of the individual. This is visible not only in the topics it chooses to deal with, but also in the way it deals with them. Some of its major topics are: knowledge, the world, justice, virtue, family, and faith. The greatest of these may be faith which is constantly watching over wisdom and really all of life (Prov. 1:7). (Holman Bible Dictionary)

> Why do fools despise wisdom and disciple?

* "fools" -God tells us in the Bible that a fool is not a person who is either slow to learn or has limitations in learning. Rather, God says a fool who is unwilling to learn and apply the truth he reveals.

* Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 states, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

* Jesus taught, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)

*

II. Wisdom for My Son (1:8-19)

The Switch

* The engraving from a book; "Des menschen begin, midden en einde : vertoonende het kinderlyk bedryf en aanwasch in eenenvyftig konstige figuuren, met goddelyke spreuken en stichtelyke verzen / door Joannes Luiken ; met het leven van den autheur" by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) now in public domain. A mother threatens to punish her child with the switch. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the brief poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture texts are Proverbs 1:7-9 and Hebrews 12:4-11. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "It's better that Friendship strikes, Than that the Enemy speaks kindly." The accompanying poem is:

When the little Child is naughty, he must suffer,
Being chastised by his Parents,
But that doesn't happen out of hate;
Likewise the old child must accept,
That the Lord's hand strikes out of love,
So that he is not corrupted by evil.

(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)

>3. What is loving parent's instructions compared to? (8-9)

* Proverbs 1:8-9 "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

* "They will be a garland to grace your head"

* "a chain to adorn your neck."

*

> What can be learned about part of being a parent?

* "to your father's instruction"

* "do not forsake your mother's teaching"

*

> And a son and daughter?

* "Listen"

* "my son"

*

The Doll Furnishings

* The engraving from a book; "Des menschen begin, midden en einde : vertoonende het kinderlyk bedryf en aanwasch in eenenvyftig konstige figuuren, met goddelyke spreuken en stichtelyke verzen / door Joannes Luiken ; met het leven van den autheur" by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) now in public domain. Three girls arrange doll dishes on a toy cabinet on the stoop, while a girl with a doll in her arms looks on. In the background a young couple with infant in arms and walking their dog comment on this scene. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the brief poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture texts are Proverbs 1:20-23 and Isaiah 3:18-24. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "What is the World, for the heart? But Childish Doll Furnishings." The accompanying poem is:

The Doll Furnishings for the young Child,
Which give pleasure to the Little Girl,
Serve also as a Mirror for the Old Ones:
Do not support the trusted Security
Of the Noble mature mind
With Doll Furnishings.

(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)

>4. How are all eventually faced with the enticement to harm another for profit? (10-14)

* Proverbs 1:10-14 "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse."

* "sinners"

* "entice you"

* "we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder"

* "we will share a common purse"

> Is this enticement limited to the outcast or do societies outstanding citizens also entice us?

*

*

* Gain is not bad. Gaining to the point of being wealthy is not bad either. Like everything in this world, I can gain properly and improperly. The ill-gotten gain eventually takes away the lives of those who gain it (15).

Verses 10 through 14 contain a story. The story is a warning to not accept the enticement of others to join with them and steal from others. Just because no one approaches me to join their thieving band does not mean this has never happened to me. I hear of and am tempted to not act properly with money and possessions all the time.

Shoplifting is giving away my soul. Eat-n-dash leaves a sliver of my heart at the restaurant's table. Forcing an employee to work and not compensating them is why the kingdom of Satan will end in terror. Taking delivered packages from door-steps is giving away an eternal dwelling.

Thieving is self-destruction (18). Subliminal ones exist. Not encouraging and complimenting a child is as much stealing from them as not teaching them that there are rules that when broken will result in punishment. Not disciplining a child brings pain and sorrow to both the child and parent in the future. A good parent will instruct a child with true complements and loving punishment. Of all the ill-gotten gains listen here, the worst is to steal a son's or daughter's future by holding bad a blunt education in respecting authority and rules (8,9).

Listen to the above comments on Proverbs 1:8-15.

Cast in they lot among Us

* This image by unknown author is now in public domain. Proverbs 1:14 is cited.

>5. What does it mean that our feet rush into sin? (15-19)

* Proverbs 1:15-19 "my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it."

* "do not set foot on their paths"

* "their feet rush into sin"

* "they are swift to shed blood"

*

> When does the net of sinful desires entrap us?

* "How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!"

* " These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!"

* "Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain"

* "it takes away the lives of those who get it."

*

III. Warnings Against Rejecting Wisdom (1:20-33)

The Writings of Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Solomon

* In this image, the Old Testament prophets lounge and converse in a courtyard with their writings open before them. Featured prominently are Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Solomon. The engraving is in the book by Leclerc, Jean (fl. 1573-1627). It's title, "Figures des histoires de la Saincte Bible, accompagnees de briefs discours : contenans la plus grande partie des histoires sacrées du Vieil & Nouueau Testament, & des oeuures admirables du Dieu viuant, createur de ciel & de la terre, & de Iesu-Christ son fils vnique nostre sauueur & redemteur. : Pour l'exercice ordinaire des ames deuotes & contemplatives. : Le tout dedié au Roy tres-chrestien" translates, "Figures of the stories of the Holy Bible, accompanied by brief speeches: containing the greater part of the sacred stories of the Old & New Testament, & of the admirable works of the living God, creator of heaven & earth, & of Jesus Christ his son bless our savior & redeemer. : For the ordinary exercise of devotional & contemplative souls. : All dedicated to the Very Christian King". Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>6. Does wisdom really make itself so well known to everyone? (20-21)

* Proverbs 1:20-21 "Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech"

* "Wisdom calls aloud in the street"

* "in the gateways of the city she makes her speech"

*

> What was a public square in Solomon's time and what is it in our time?

* "she raises her voice in the public squares"

*

>7. Who is making the statement in verses 22 and 23?

* Proverbs 1:22-23 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you."

* "simple ones love your simple ways"

* "mockers delight in mockery"

* "fools hate knowledge"

* "If you had responded to my rebuke"

* "I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you."

> Why are people so slow to act on wisdom even though it is made plan to us? (John 3:19-21)

* "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)

*

>8. What will happen to people who do not follow the path of wisdom? (24-27)

* Proverbs 1:24-27 "But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you."

* "you rejected me" -A conscience choice.

* "no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,"

* "you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke"

* "I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you"

* "when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind"

* "when distress and trouble overwhelm you."

Impediment

* The drawing titled "Impediment" is in a book by Drexel, Jeremias (1581-1638) titled "Heliotropium : seu, Conformatio humanae voluntatis cum divina ... explicata. / ab Hieremia Drexelio". A band of armed figures passes corpses half-buried in the sand, while King David grasps the stem of a wilted sunflower. Peering from behind a cloud, the sun hides its face from the desolation below. The broken chain between the hearts labeled "Sequere" ("Obey.") and "Non serviam" ("I will not serve.") suggests that all these troubles have resulted from human disobedience to God. So does the caption, which contains a quotation from Proverbs 1:24, spoken by Wisdom: "Vocavi et renuistis" (I called, and you refused"). Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

> Does this always happen in this life under the sun?

* Going against the set laws of God including and not limited to the laws of nature, the laws of physics, the laws of health and body, and the laws of living whether right away, slowly progressing, and/or in the end this proverb is ture.

*

>9. Who will not respond when those who follow evil fall into desolations without repentance? (28)

* Proverbs 1:28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me."

* "Then they will call to me but I will not answer"

* "they will look for me but will not find me."

*

> What can be learned about the need for repentance now?

* Jesus taught a parable about people who will stand outside the kingdom gnashing their teeth because they were thrown out of paradise.

* Luke 13:28 "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out."

* Wisdom is personified, a common ploy in ancient middle-east literature (20). Wisdom is beseeching the simple people going about their daily routines in the populated cities' markets, restaurants, and forums (20,21). The simple people from wisdom's perspective are those who rejected its call thus becoming mockers, hating knowledge, and not choosing to fear the LORD (22,28).

Wisdom's oration contrasts the results of accepting and rejecting its implementation. Executing wisdom promises total enlightenment (23), life in safety (33), an easy set of mind (33), and life without fear of harm (33). The results of applying wisdom to daily decisions are inward in spite of what happens without.

Rebuffing wisdom promises self-imposed disaster (26), calamity (26), distress (27), and overwhelming trouble (27). The results of dismissing wisdom in daily decisions are self-fulfilling destruction and death (31,32). Lifestyle choices have results that come to a point where no matter what happens the results of decisions made cannot be avoided (26,28).

Jesus called out with words similar to verse 28. He told those in the temple, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come." (John 7:33-34) And, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them." (John 12:35-36)

Listen to the above comments on Proverbs 1:20-33.

>10. How does fearing the LORD fit into the decisions that follow folly living? (29-31)

* Proverbs 1:29-31 "Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes."

* "Since they hated knowledge"

* "did not choose to fear the LORD"

* "they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke"

* "they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes." -Fruit depicts a nature result.

The Knife Maker: Where laughter is, Crying is near The Knife Maker: Where laughter is, Crying is near

* The engraving from a book; "Des menschen begin, midden en einde : vertoonende het kinderlyk bedryf en aanwasch in eenenvyftig konstige figuuren, met goddelyke spreuken en stichtelyke verzen / door Joannes Luiken ; met het leven van den autheur" by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) now in public domain. The title is, "The Knife Maker: Where laughter is, Crying is near". The knife maker sharpens the blade of a knife in front of his shop window. Outside, two men test the sharpness of a knife. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712), was responsible for drawing this emblem and for creating the motto and poem that follow. Jan Luiken and/or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) were responsible for its etching. The attendant scripture text is Proverbs 1:29-33. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "Where laughter is, / Crying is near." The accompanying poem is:

The knife, in the wrong hand,
Makes for a dangerous situation:
Therefore that play is taken from the child:
So is that, what goes according to wish,
In the world's wellbeing, for man,
only to lead to great misfortune.

(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)

> How does verses 32-33 reveal how the fear of God help many?

* Proverbs 1:32-33 "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

* "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them"

* "the complacency of fools will destroy them"

* "whoever listens to me will live in safety"

* "and be at ease"

* "without fear of harm."