Jo’s Place

True Wisdom Comes from God Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.  We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.  And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.  In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.  But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire.  It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.  People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish… but no one can tame the tongue… It is restless and evil, full of de...

True Wisdom Comes from God If you are wise and understand God’s ways …prove it, by living an honorable life …(and) doing good works …with the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.  For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.  Such things are earthly… unspiritual... and demonic.  For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil …of every kind.  But the wisdom from above is first of all …pure.  It is also peace loving,… gentle at all times…  and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.  It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.  ____________________ What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?  Don’t they come from...

Another Warning about Immoral Women Follow my advice, my son;  always treasure my commands.  Obey my commands and live!  Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.  Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.  Love wisdom like a sister;  make insight a beloved member of your family.  Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,  from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.  While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.  He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,  strolling down the path by her house.  It was at twilight, in the evening,  as deep darkness fell.  The woman approached him,  seductively dressed and sly of heart.  She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home.  She is often in the streets a...

Avoid Immoral Women My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.  Then you will show discernment,  and your lips will express what you’ve learned.  For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.  But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death;  her steps lead straight to the grave.  For she cares nothing about the path to life.  She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.  So now, my sons, listen to me.  Never stray from what I am about to say:  …Stay away from her!  Don’t go near the door of her house!  If you do, you will lose your honor  and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.  Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.  In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body.  Yo...

Wisdom has built her house;  she has carved its seven columns.  She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.  She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.  She calls out from the heights overlooking the city…  “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.  To those who lack good judgment, she says…  “Come, eat my food,  and drink the wine I have mixed.  Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live…  learn to use good judgment.”  Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.  Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.  So don’t bother correcting mockers…  they will only hate you.  But correct the wise,  and they will love you.  Instruct the wise,  and they will be even wiser.  Teach the righteous,  and they will learn even more.  Fear of the Lord  …is the foundation of wisdom.  Knowledge of the Holy One  …results in good j...

Listen as Wisdom calls out!  Hear as understanding raises her voice!    …On the hilltop along the road,  …she takes her stand at the crossroads.  By the gates at the entrance to the town,  …on the road leading in, she cries aloud “I call to you, to all of you!  I raise my voice to all people.  You simple people, use good judgment…  You foolish people, show some understanding.  Listen to me!  For I have important things to tell you…  Everything I say is right…  for I speak the truth…  and detest every kind of deception.  My advice is wholesome.  There is nothing devious or crooked in it.  My words are plain to anyone with understanding  …clear to those with knowledge.  Choose my instruction rather than silver  …and knowledge rather than pure gold.  For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies…  Nothing you desire can compare with it.  “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgm...