Sabedoria

7 *Respect and obey the Lord!

This is the beginning

of knowledge.*

Only a fool rejects wisdom

and good advice.

10 *Respect and obey the Lord!

This is the beginning

of wisdom.*

To have understanding,

you must know the Holy God.

33 Showing respect to the Lord

will make you wise,

and being humble

will bring honor to you.

10 *Respect and obey the Lord!

This is the first step

to wisdom and good sense.*

God will always be respected.

Where Is Wisdom Found?

12 *But where is wisdom found?

13 *No human knows the way.*

14 Nor can it be discovered

in the deepest sea.

* 15 It is worth much more

than silver or pure gold

16 or precious stones.

17 Nothing is its equal—

not gold or costly glass.*

18 Wisdom is worth much more than

coral, jasper,* or rubies.

19 All the topaz* of Ethiopia*

and the finest gold

cannot compare with it.

20 Where then is wisdom?

21 It is hidden from human eyes

and even from birds.

22 Death and destruction

have merely heard rumors

about where it is found.

5 *If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.

5 *If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.

5 *If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.

6 *All wisdom comes from the Lord,

and so do common sense

and understanding.

6 *All wisdom comes from the Lord,

and so do common sense

and understanding.

3 Beg as loud as you can

for good common sense.

5 Then you will understand

what it means to respect

and to know the Lord God.

23 You are the God

who was worshiped

by my ancestors.

Now I thank you and praise you

for making me wise

and telling me the king’s dream,

together with its meaning."

20 "Our God, your name

will be praised

forever and forever.

You are all-powerful,

and you know everything.

17 God made the four young men smart and wise. They read a lot of books and became well educated. Daniel could also tell the meaning of dreams and visions.

17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.

17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.

17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.

Wisdom from Above

13 *Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do.

6 We do use wisdom when speaking to people who are mature in their faith. But it isn’t the wisdom of this world or of its rulers, who will soon disappear. 7 We speak of God’s hidden and mysterious wisdom that God decided to use for our glory long before the world began.

23 But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish. 24 Our message is God’s power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that he has chosen. 25 Even when God is foolish, he is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, he is stronger than everyone else.

18 Don’t fool yourselves! If any of you think you are wise in the things of this world, you will have to become foolish before you can be truly wise.

18 Don’t fool yourselves! If any of you think you are wise in the things of this world, you will have to become foolish before you can be truly wise.

2 I do it to encourage them. Then as their hearts are joined together in love, they will be wonderfully blessed with complete understanding. And they will truly know Christ. Not only is he the key to God’s mystery, 3 but all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away in him.

5 With all your heart

you must trust the Lord

and not your own judgment.

6 Always let him lead you,

and he will clear the road

for you to follow.

7 *Don’t ever think that you

are wise enough,

but respect the Lord

and stay away from evil.

8 You said to me,

"I will point out the road

that you should follow.

I will be your teacher

and watch over you.

9 You lead humble people

to do what is right

and to stay on your path.

4 Show me your paths

and teach me to follow;

5 guide me by your truth

and instruct me.

You keep me safe,

and I always trust you.

23 If you do what the Lord wants,

he will make certain

each step you take is sure.

8 Each morning let me learn

more about your love

because I trust you.

I come to you in prayer,

asking for your guidance.

10 You are my God. Show me

what you want me to do,

and let your gentle Spirit

lead me in the right path.

11 Be true to your name, Lord,

and keep my life safe.

Use your saving power

to protect me from trouble.

11 Teach me to follow, Lord,

and lead me on the right path

because of my enemies.

105 Your word is a lamp

that gives light

wherever I walk.

105 Your word is a lamp

that gives light

wherever I walk.

18 Open my mind

and let me discover

the wonders of your Law.

130 Understanding your word

brings light to the minds

of ordinary people.

The Way to Happiness

1 God blesses those people

who refuse evil advice

and won’t follow sinners

or join in sneering at God.

2 Instead, they find happiness

in the Teaching of the Lord,

and they think about it

day and night.

16 *Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

22 Their teaching will guide you

when you walk,

protect you when you sleep,

and talk to you

when you are awake.

15 Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16 *These are evil times, so make every minute count.

15 Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16 *These are evil times, so make every minute count.

20 Pay attention to advice

and accept correction,

so you can live sensibly.

20 Pay attention to advice

and accept correction,

so you can live sensibly.

8 Do yourself a favor

by having good sense—

you will be glad you did.

18 Be sure you have sound advice

before making plans

or starting a war.

6 Battles are won

by listening to advice

and making a lot of plans.

29 It’s smart to be patient,

but it’s stupid

to lose your temper.

10 Too much pride causes trouble.

Be sensible and take advice.

3 *Keep what you know to yourself,

and you will be safe;

talk too much,

and you are done for.

15 Fools think they know

what is best,

but a sensible person

listens to advice.

2 Too much pride

can put you to shame.

It’s wiser to be humble.

8 If you have good sense,

you will listen and obey;

if all you do is talk foolishly,

you will destroy yourself.

15 Everyone with good sense

wants to learn.

2 Fools have no desire to learn,

instead they would rather

give their own opinion.

28 *Even fools seem smart

when they are quiet.

5 If you are already wise,

you will become even wiser.

And if you are smart,

you will learn to understand

5 *When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. 6 *Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.

5 *When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. 6 *Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.

23 Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. 24 In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you.

The Value of Wisdom

13 God blesses everyone

who has wisdom

and common sense.

35 By finding me, you find life,

and the Lord will be pleased

with you.

16 It’s much better to be wise

and sensible

than to be rich.

9 We make our own plans,

but the Lord decides

where we will go.

The Lord Has the Final Word

1 We humans make plans,

but the Lord

has the final word.

12 Wisdom will protect you

just like money;

knowledge with good sense

will lead you to life.

10 It isn’t wise to ask,

"Why is everything worse

than it used to be?"

26 *If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.*

10 Work hard at whatever you do. You will soon go to the world of the dead, where no one works or thinks or reasons or even knows anything.

9 Just as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

my thoughts and my ways

are higher than yours.

8 The Lord says:

"My thoughts and my ways

are not like yours.

28 Don’t you know?

Haven’t you heard?

The Lord is the eternal God,

Creator of the earth.

He never gets weary or tired;

his wisdom cannot be measured.

28 Don’t you know?

Haven’t you heard?

The Lord is the eternal God,

Creator of the earth.

He never gets weary or tired;

his wisdom cannot be measured.

God’s Servant Must Suffer

4 The Lord God gives me

the right words

to encourage the weary.

Each morning he awakens me

eager to learn his teaching;

Don’t Trust the Power of Egypt

1 You are in for trouble

if you go to Egypt for help,

or if you depend on

an army of chariots

or a powerful cavalry.

Instead you should depend on

and trust the holy Lord God

of Israel.

2 The Lord isn’t stupid!

He does what he promises,

and he can bring doom.

If you are cruel yourself,

or help those who are evil,

you will be destroyed.

29 This wonderful knowledge comes

from the Lord All-Powerful,

who has such great wisdom.

2 The Spirit of the Lord

will be with him

to give him understanding,

wisdom, and insight.

He will be powerful,

and he will know

and honor the Lord.

3 His greatest joy will be

to obey the Lord.

This king won’t judge

by appearances

or listen to rumors.

11 The Lord will always guide you

and provide good things to eat

when you are in the desert.

He will make you healthy.

You will be like a garden

that has plenty of water

or like a stream

that never runs dry.

33 *Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?

27 *And now, because of Jesus Christ, we can praise the only wise God forever! Amen.*

28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.* They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,

24 Our Lord, by your wisdom

you made so many things;

the whole earth is covered

with your living creatures.

5 Our Lord is great and powerful!

He understands everything.

24 Your advice has been my guide,

and later you will welcome me

in glory.*

12 Teach us to use wisely

all the time we have.

30 Words of wisdom come

when good people speak

for justice.

4 Do what the Lord wants,

and he will give you

your heart’s desire.

8 You do what is right,

and I ask you to guide me.

Make your teaching clear

because of my enemies.

11 You have shown me

the path to life,

and you make me glad

by being near to me.

Sitting at your right side,*

I will always be joyful.

9 They will weep and pray

as I bring them home.

I will lead them

to streams of water.

They will walk on a level* road

and not stumble.

I am a father to Israel,*

my favorite children.

Jeremiah Prays

23 I know, Lord, that we humans

are not in control

of our own lives.

12 With your wisdom and power

you created the earth

and spread out the heavens.

Don’t Brag about Tomorrow

1 *Don’t brag about tomorrow!

Each day brings

its own surprises.

5 Criminals don’t know

what justice means,

but all who respect the Lord

understand it completely.

20,21 I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.

Final Warnings and Greetings

1 *I am on my way to visit you for the third time. And as the Scriptures say, "Any charges must be proved true by at least two or three witnesses."

5 *But you have forgotten that the Scriptures say to God’s children,

"When the Lord punishes you,

don’t make light of it,

and when he corrects you,

don’t be discouraged.

6 The Lord corrects the people

he loves

and disciplines those

he calls his own."

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

42 *The Queen of the South* will also stand there with you and condemn you. She traveled a long way to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and yet here is something much greater than Solomon.

Two Builders

24 Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock.

15 I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.

24 Don’t judge by appearances. Judge by what is right.

19 By his wisdom and knowledge

the Lord created

heaven and earth.

12 and gain some wisdom from those

who have lived a long time.

13 But God is the real source

of wisdom and strength.

What You Say Is True

1 Job said:

2 *What you say is true.

No human is innocent

in the sight of God.

3 Not once in a thousand times

could we win our case

if we took him to court.

4 God is wise and powerful—

who could possibly

oppose him and win?

8 The Lord God has told us

what is right

and what he demands:

"See that justice is done,

let mercy be your first concern,

and humbly obey your God."

6 and told them:

Be careful when you make your decisions in court, because you are judging by the Lord's standards and not by human standards, and he will know what you decide.

14 What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.