I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honour are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
Comment: This passage sounds as if Wisdom is a person speaking and that reminds me of what I wrote in an earlier devotion about Wisdom in Proverbs actually being considered as Jesus the Christ speaking. And Wisdom speaks here in poetic concepts.
Wisdom has bed-fellows – knowledge and discretion.
Here the fear of God is defined not as trembling in fear but as hatred – the hatred of evil – pride, arrogance and perverted speech. Not the useless shaking of wobbly knees but an active hatred of what He (God) hates. A hatred that presumably becomes a basis for personal choices.
Those who rule justly, kings or governors or whoever are successful because of Wisdom. I presume that the inference is that those who do not rule justly are not under the control of Wisdom. Wisdom loves those who love it and will be found by those who seek it. Knowing wisdom brings success and what she gives (her fruit) fills the treasury of their lives with something of much more value than silver and gold. This causes me to question whether I’d rather be a fool billionaire or a Wisdom seeker full of righteousness.
Prayer: Give me Wisdom please. I would not settle for less.
As I read it! 