1 Never envy evil men, π. Never [even] want [to be with them]. Or: βnever covet.β2 The heart [of a ruiner] studies destruction, π. Their lips vomit trouble [and toil]. 3 Wisdom builds [your] family [house, π]. Discernment establishes [your dynasty]. 4 π, knowledge fills [your] chambers with all [YAH's] precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man [towers] strong, π. A man of knowledge grows mightier [every day].6 π, you must wage your [life's] battle[s] by [following] wise counsel. [Consulting] many counselors = safety. Spiritual war. True believers don't fight in any worldly wars. See the film βHacksaw Ridgeβ for a portrayal of how true believers approach war.7 Wisdom [rises] too high for a fool, π. He isn't [fit to] open his mouth in the [court] gate. By hiring an attorney, you declare yourself incompetent to stand for yourself in a legal or official setting. That's why fools hire lawyers.8 Whoever plots evil gets a reputation as a scam-master, π. 9 It's a [deadly] mistake to scheme foolishness, π. The scorner is an abomination to [all] men. 10 π, the day of crisis is a [test of] your strength. If you faint [under adversity, you need to] bulk up. Life is a test of your spiritual strength.11 π, never delay in rescuing [innocent people] from death's door. [Spring to help righteous saints whom oppressors] drag off to murder. Rescue people unjustly sentenced to death; never stand back and let them die. Help poor minorities who rot in jail for possessing a harmless weed.12 YAH, the owner of your soul, knows [you sit around while innocent people suffer and die, π]. [Don't] say, βWe didn't know.β YAH skillfully weighs your heart. [YAH] repays [every] human what his deeds deserve. 13 π, child, eat [wisdom] honey. [Insight is] good! The honeycomb [of learning gives you a] sweet taste! 14 [Like honey], the knowledge of wisdom [sweetens] your soul, π. When you find [perception], you net a reward. Then [nothing can] cut off your rope-of-hope. 15 π, never lay an ambush [with a] wicked man [at] the dwelling of righteous [people]. [Never] spoil [an innocent's] resting place. 16 For a just man falls 7 times, then springs up again, π. But all wicked [people eventually] fall into calamity, [never to rise]. 17 Fight [the urge to] brighten up when your enemy falls, π. Never let your heart spin [for joy] when he stumbles. 18 If YHVH's eyes see you [gloating], it'll break [his heart]. Then he'll turn his fire-rage away from [your enemy and onto you, π]! 19 π, never worry yourself over evil men. Never be envious of wicked [beings].20 For no reward [stays with] any evil man, π. [YAH] snuffs out the life-candle of [every] wicked [sinner]. 21 YHVH alone" href="?themes=16.8" target="The_Theme_Of_Serving YHVH alone"> π, my child, fear [only] King YHVH. Never intermix with rebels. All rebellion is sin. That includes the American, French and Russian revolutions. They were all paid for with debts that continue to reduce their nations to slavery.22 For [rebels'] calamity rises suddenly, π. [Only YAH] knows the [depth of] the ruin that [buries] both [sides in a war]. 23 [π, be a] wise [man]. No good [comes] from showing partiality to people when deciding [how to handle conflict]. 24 π, whoever [flatters] wicked [people by] saying, βYou're righteousβ, becomes cursed by people and abhorred by nations. βHail Hitlerβ, for example. In politics, countries divide: one party hails one criminal, the other party worships another criminal. Accurately told, history consists of the exploits of international crime-rings.25 But delight comes to [people] who rebuke [lawlessness, π]. [YAH] sends wonderful blessing [s] [upon whistle-blowers]. 26 [Women] kiss the lips of [a wise man] who gives right answer [s, π]. |