Saturday, October 25, 2008

Proverbs 23:22-35

Get the truth, wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
v.22-25 (Saying 16) Obtain truth. Listen to your parents and do not despise them when they are old. The parents of the righteous will rejoice; so let your father and mother be glad. Expend your energy on obtaining truth, wisdom, instruction (discipline), and understanding (good judgment) (see 4:5).
v.26-28 (Saying 17) Model virtue. The parent must model the virtue they want to impart in their children (observe my ways). A prostitute (and adulteress) is a dangerous trap and a robber. Avoiding sexual sin is another of the main themes of Proverbs (7:25-27).
v.29-35 (Saying 18) The folly of drunkenness. The one who drinks to excess will have woe, sorrow, strife, complaining, wounds without cause, and redness of eyes. Wine goes down smoothly, but in the end bits like a serpent. The drunk will see strange things, utter perverse things, and stumble around like on a vessel at sea. The saying ends with a little humor describing a drunk being beaten up but not feeling it and when he wakes up asking for another drink. Those led astray by drinking cannot be wise (20:1).

Sounds like a good prescription for young (or old) people: (1) Listen to your parents, (2) keep far from sexual sin, and (3) don't drink alcohol to excess.

Read Proverbs 23:22-35

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