Proverbs 2 (Expanded Bible) Rewards of Wisdom 1 My ·child [or son], ·listen to [grasp] what I say and ·remember [store up] what I command you. 2 ·Listen carefully [Bend your ear] to wisdom; ·set your mind on [stretch your heart to] understanding. 3 Cry out for wisdom, and ·beg [shout out loud] for understanding. 4 ·Search [Seek] for it like silver, and ·hunt [search] for it like hidden treasure. 5 Then you will understand ·respect [fear; awe; 1:7] for the Lord, and you will find ·that you know God [the knowledge of God]. 6 Only the Lord gives wisdom; ·he gives [Lfrom his mouth comes] knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up ·wisdom [resourcefulness] for those who ·are honest [have integrity]. Like a shield he protects the innocent. 8 He ·makes sure that justice is done [guards the path of justice], and he protects those who are loyal to him. Proverbs 2 (Amplified Bible) 1 My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly [a]Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; 3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, 5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. 6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, 8 That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints. Proverbs 2 - King James Version (KJV) 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. The word if represents option or choice to do or not to do. If you do this here is the reward and if you do not then here is the consequence. Point being God gives us a choice to succeed if we want to listen or not. Succeed does not come quickly in terms we think. The first choice of success is listening; not debating with God, putting God on ignore, or refusing to listen.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:19:42 +0000