April 30 Daily Devotional

Proverbs 1–14

A great deal of wisdom was given by God to king Solomon. He spoke three thousand proverbs. Here are some of them, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not … Forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee, bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart; so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding … Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom … Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her … Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away … The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble … But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day … My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it … I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me … Blessed are they that keep my ways … For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death … The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot … The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish … He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch … Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”