For wisdomis protection[just as] moneyis protection,But the advantageof knowledgeis that wisdompreservesthe livesof its possessors.
"Have You not madea hedgeabouthim and his houseand allthat he has, on everyside?You have blessedthe workof his hands,and his possessionshave increasedin the land.
Be graciousto me, O God,be graciousto me, For my soultakesrefugein You; And in the shadowof Your wingsI will takerefugeUntildestructionpassesby.
Richesdo not profitin the dayof wrath,But righteousnessdeliversfrom death.
The pooris hatedevenby his neighbor,But those who lovethe richare many.
Discretionwill guardyou, Understandingwill watchover you,
He storesup soundwisdomfor the upright;[He is] a shieldto those who walkin integrity,
She is a treeof lifeto those who takeholdof her, And happyare all who holdher fast.
"For he who findsme findslifeAnd obtainsfavorfrom the LORD.
For by me your dayswill be multiplied,And yearsof lifewill be addedto you.
[Men] preparea mealfor enjoyment,and winemakeslifemerry,and moneyis the answerto everything.
And I sawthat wisdomexcelsfollyas lightexcelsdarkness.
Wisdomstrengthensa wisemanmorethantenrulerswhoare in a city.
So I said,"Wisdomis betterthanstrength."But the wisdomof the poormanis despisedand his wordsare not heeded.
Wisdomis betterthanweaponsof war,but onesinnerdestroysmuchgood.
Who proceeddownto EgyptWithoutconsultingMe, To takerefugein the safetyof PharaohAnd to seekshelterin the shadowof Egypt!
Eachwill be like a refugefrom the windAnd a shelterfrom the storm,Like streamsof waterin a drycountry,Like the shadeof a hugerockin a parchedland.
And He will be the stabilityof your times,A wealthof salvation,wisdomand knowledge;The fearof the LORDis his treasure.
"I knowthat His commandmentis eternallife;thereforethe things I speak,I speakjustas the Fatherhas toldMe."
"Thisis eternallife,that they may knowYou, the onlytrue God,and JesusChristwhomYou have sent.
"For it is not an idlewordfor you; indeedit is your life.And by thiswordyou will prolongyour daysin the land,whichyou are about to crossthe Jordanto possess."
More thanthat, I countallthingsto be lossin viewof the surpassing valueof knowingChristJesusmy Lord,for whomI have suffered the lossof all things,and countthem but rubbishsothat I may gainChrist,
"The bramblesaidto the trees,'Ifin truthyou are anointingme as kingoveryou, comeand takerefugein my shade;but ifnot, may firecomeout from the brambleand consumethe cedarsof Lebanon.'
