Proverbs 4

Listen, my sons, to a father s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom. Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown. Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
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or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
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The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
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(Edited Versions already) Reflection The book of Proverbs, also known as the Proverbs of Solomon, the King of Israel and son of David, is a compilation of thousands of proverbs about wisdom. Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs for his male descendants for he often addresses my sons to pass his wisdom that God gave to him. The Book of Proverbs is rolled in into one book for every male and female youth or adult to foster wisdom. It also brings understanding, instructions and prudence. It has no story unlike the other books but it has so many lessons applicable to our life, in which Solomon stated different and common situations and topics where the main lesson is Wisdom . Before everything else, let s define Wisdom . As stated by the Wikipedia, is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Is this definition the same thing as Proverbs wants to convey? Proverbs 4 was my chosen chapter because of its title The father s instruction . As I read Proverbs 4, it seemed like I am reading the whole Book of Proverbs for I have a clearer definition of Wisdom. She (wisdom is being personified in the bible as women) is in our will and understanding of what is good or bad. In Pr 4:1-4, what came up to my mind as a youth is that parents are the source of wisdom. Our parents are our guardians and counsellors, especially when we are dependent on them. They protect us from what is bad, teach us what is good, give pieces of advice and even walk with us throughout our journey. They are beside us every moment that we need them even if we sometimes disregard them. Through our experience, we learn so many things with and without our parents. However, experiences were at their best when we are with them. As we grow older and become more independent, the analogy of parents as wisdom grows into God is wisdom . I believe King Solomon wants us to have wisdom in our own way. And King Solomon provides the steps of how to acquire wisdom in this chapter (Pr 4:20-27). Honestly, I do not consider this Proverb as King Solomon speaking. I think God is the one speaking to me. I know that God wants us to have wisdom. He wants the best for us but we are the ones who swerve away from wisdom. God gave us senses to perceive all His creation and He also gave us the wisdom to see and learn them. It is in our hands to grasp this wisdom. Proverbs 4 enlightened me that wisdom is already provided by God. We only need to follow His instructions and hold them close to us so that our minds may be enlightened and may be led to the right path. Wisdom is above all. If we have wisdom, we have understanding and knowledge. Wisdom is our inner voice that teaches us what is right or wrong, that guides and protects us like our parents and especially like our God.

Psalm 13 How much longer will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? Look at me, O Lord my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don t let me die. Don t let my enemies say, We have defeated him. Don t let them gloat over my downfall. I rely on your constant love; I will be glad because you will rescue me. I will sing to you, O Lord, because you have been good to me.

Reflection There are incidents in our lives when we experience so much pain and suffering. Sometimes we feel we are forgotten, that we are not loved and that no one cares for us, that we are alone and no one else. Somehow, I am slightly affected about the condition of our country. Whenever I pass by the streets going to school I see a lot of people who need care and attention, most especially the street children. I see them often at the street carrying a huge sack at their back and hunting for garbage in the hope that they could trade it for a little amount of money. I feel sorry for them because they are still very young and they don t deserve that kind of life. Instead of working at their very young age they should be studying and playing just like what other normal kids do. Even though I have prayed to Him every day asking for Him to cease all these miseries in life, it seems that nothing is happening. Things are just getting worse. More and more people are getting into temptations like greed and lust. A corrupt person still remains at the top while a person who is working so hard to earn money still remains at the bottom. Why is it that the people who are into sin seem to be succeeding more than the people who are clean and honest in their work? Why do we need to experience all these pain, sufferings and hardships in life? Why are there people suffering from poverty and hunger? Why does our God let this happen to His children? If God is a loving and just God then why is He allowing the bad guys to succeed rather than the good ones? There are so many questions in my mind that still remains a mystery. And sometimes these questions challenge my faith in God.

Maybe the reason why God is allowing this to happen is because He wants to teach us. He wants us to learn something. They say faith without work is useless. Even though we pray hard, nothing will happen if our faith is never put into action.

4ECE A Agapito, Miko Patrick Candelaria, Anne Vera Encarguez, Egbert Mamaril, Jessica Camille Ruiz, Luigi Alfred