WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:09.500 in a year. Today's reading is from Proverbs chapters 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:14.759 1 through 4. Chapter 1. The Proverbs of Solomon, 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:17.879 the son of David, king of Israel. To know wisdom 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:20.579 and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:23.600 to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:26.859 judgment, and equity, to give prudence to the 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:29.320 simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 00:00:29.899 --> 00:00:32.799 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.880 a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:38.500 To understand a proverb and an enigma, the words 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:41.060 of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the 00:00:41.060 --> 00:00:43.439 Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:47.140 despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:49.380 the instruction of your father, and do not forsake 00:00:49.380 --> 00:00:51.859 the law of your mother, for there will be a graceful 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:54.600 ornament on your head, and chains about your 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:57.659 neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 00:00:58.159 --> 00:01:00.700 If they say, Come with us, let us lie in wait 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:03.920 to shed blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.799 without cause. Let us swallow them alive like 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:09.239 Sheol, and whole like those who go down to the 00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.120 pit. We shall find all kinds of precious possessions. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:15.060 We shall fill our houses with spoil. Cast in 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:17.719 your lot among us. Let us all have one purse. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:20.700 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:23.340 your foot from their path, for their feet run 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:26.390 to evil. and they make haste to shed blood surely 00:01:26.390 --> 00:01:29.189 in vain the net is spread in the sight of any 00:01:29.189 --> 00:01:31.790 bird but they lie in wait for their own blood 00:01:31.790 --> 00:01:35.269 they lurk secretly for their own lives so are 00:01:35.269 --> 00:01:38.010 the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain it 00:01:38.010 --> 00:01:40.870 takes away the life of its owners wisdom calls 00:01:40.870 --> 00:01:43.890 aloud outside she raises her voice in the open 00:01:43.890 --> 00:01:46.950 squares she cries out in the chief concourses 00:01:46.950 --> 00:01:49.530 at the openings of the gates in the city she 00:01:49.530 --> 00:01:52.629 speaks her words how long you simple ones will 00:01:52.629 --> 00:01:55.659 you love simplicity For scorners delight in their 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:58.879 scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:01.640 rebuke. Surely I will pour out my spirit on you. 00:02:01.780 --> 00:02:04.739 I will make my words known to you, because I 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:06.939 have called and you refused. I have stretched 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:09.639 out my hand and no one regarded, because you 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:12.479 disdained all my counsel. And will have none 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:15.620 of my rebuke. I also will laugh at your calamity. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:18.400 I will mock when your terror comes, when your 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.780 terror comes like a storm. and your destruction 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.539 comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:26.719 come upon you. Then they will call on me, but 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:28.879 I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.560 but they will not find me, because they hated 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:33.680 knowledge and did not choose the fear of the 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.800 Lord. They would have none of my counsel and 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:38.599 despise my every rebuke. Therefore they shall 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:41.180 eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:44.020 to the full with their own fancies. For the turning 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:47.240 away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:50.050 of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens 00:02:50.050 --> 00:02:53.330 to me will dwell safely, and will be secure without 00:02:53.330 --> 00:02:58.710 fear of evil. Chapter 2 My son, if you receive 00:02:58.710 --> 00:03:01.169 my words and treasure my commands within you, 00:03:01.250 --> 00:03:03.789 so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply 00:03:03.789 --> 00:03:06.650 your heart to understanding, yes, if you cry 00:03:06.650 --> 00:03:09.270 out for discernment and lift up your voice for 00:03:09.270 --> 00:03:12.229 understanding, if you seek her as silver and 00:03:12.229 --> 00:03:15.310 search for her as for hidden treasures, Then 00:03:15.310 --> 00:03:17.310 you will understand the fear of the Lord and 00:03:17.310 --> 00:03:20.009 find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives 00:03:20.009 --> 00:03:23.050 wisdom. From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 00:03:23.370 --> 00:03:26.870 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He 00:03:26.870 --> 00:03:29.870 is a shield to those who walk uprightly. He guards 00:03:29.870 --> 00:03:33.110 the path of justice and preserves the way of 00:03:33.110 --> 00:03:35.409 His saints. Then you will understand righteousness 00:03:35.409 --> 00:03:39.030 and justice, equity in every good path. When 00:03:39.030 --> 00:03:41.449 wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant 00:03:41.449 --> 00:03:44.909 to your soul, discretion will preserve you. Understanding 00:03:44.909 --> 00:03:47.250 will keep you, to deliver you from the way of 00:03:47.250 --> 00:03:50.009 evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, 00:03:50.270 --> 00:03:52.770 from those who leave the path of uprightness, 00:03:52.930 --> 00:03:55.569 to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice 00:03:55.569 --> 00:03:58.370 in doing evil and delight in the perversity of 00:03:58.370 --> 00:04:01.349 the wicked, whose ways are crooked and who are 00:04:01.349 --> 00:04:04.169 devious in their path. to deliver you from the 00:04:04.169 --> 00:04:06.949 immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters 00:04:06.949 --> 00:04:09.629 with her words, who forsakes the companion of 00:04:09.629 --> 00:04:12.189 her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. 00:04:12.469 --> 00:04:15.530 For her house leads down to death, and her path 00:04:15.530 --> 00:04:19.110 to the dead. None who go to her return, nor do 00:04:19.110 --> 00:04:22.290 they regain the path of life. So you may walk 00:04:22.290 --> 00:04:24.850 in the way of goodness. and keep to the path 00:04:24.850 --> 00:04:27.490 of righteousness. For the upright will dwell 00:04:27.490 --> 00:04:29.810 in the land, and the blameless will remain in 00:04:29.810 --> 00:04:32.310 it. But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, 00:04:32.490 --> 00:04:35.569 and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it. 00:04:37.129 --> 00:04:41.110 Chapter 3 My son, do not forget my law, but let 00:04:41.110 --> 00:04:43.689 your heart keep my commands. For length of days 00:04:43.689 --> 00:04:46.470 and long life and peace they will add to you. 00:04:46.689 --> 00:04:49.550 Let not mercy and truth forsake you. Bind them 00:04:49.550 --> 00:04:52.029 around your neck. Write them on a tablet of your 00:04:52.029 --> 00:04:55.370 heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the 00:04:55.370 --> 00:04:57.990 sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with 00:04:57.990 --> 00:05:00.589 all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. 00:05:00.949 --> 00:05:03.529 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall 00:05:03.529 --> 00:05:06.329 direct your path. Do not be wise in your own 00:05:06.329 --> 00:05:09.350 eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It 00:05:09.350 --> 00:05:11.990 will be health to your flesh and strength to 00:05:11.990 --> 00:05:14.689 your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions 00:05:14.689 --> 00:05:17.430 and with the firstfruits of all your increase, 00:05:17.629 --> 00:05:20.360 so your barns will be filled with plenty. and 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.480 your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:25.879 do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:28.339 detest his correction. For whom the Lord loves, 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:31.579 he corrects, just as a father the son in whom 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:34.839 he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:37.420 and the man who gains understanding. For her 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:39.620 proceeds are better than the profits of silver, 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.980 and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:45.779 than rubies, and all the things you may desire 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:48.629 cannot compare with her. Length of days is in 00:05:48.629 --> 00:05:51.769 her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. 00:05:51.949 --> 00:05:55.290 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her 00:05:55.290 --> 00:05:58.189 paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those 00:05:58.189 --> 00:06:00.810 who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain 00:06:00.810 --> 00:06:03.850 her. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by 00:06:03.850 --> 00:06:06.189 understanding he established the heavens. By 00:06:06.189 --> 00:06:08.769 his knowledge the depths were broken up, and 00:06:08.769 --> 00:06:12.110 clouds dropped down the dew. My son, let them 00:06:12.110 --> 00:06:14.589 not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom 00:06:14.589 --> 00:06:17.040 and discretion. So they will be life to your 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:19.779 soul, and grace to your neck. Then you will walk 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:22.240 safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.120 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:27.540 you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:30.879 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:33.379 from the wicked when it comes. For the Lord will 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.660 be your confidence, and will keep your foot from 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:38.660 being caught. Do not withhold good from those 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:41.399 to whom it is due, when it is in the power of 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:43.600 your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:46.279 Go and come back, and tomorrow I will give it, 00:06:46.339 --> 00:06:49.000 when you have it with you. Do not devise evil 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.540 against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:54.199 safety's sake. Do not strive with a man without 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:57.720 cause, if he has done you no harm. Do not envy 00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:00.660 the oppressor, and choose none of his ways, for 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:02.819 the perverse person is an abomination to the 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:05.800 Lord. But his secret counsel is with the upright. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:08.420 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:11.040 wicked, but he blesses the home of the just. 00:07:11.550 --> 00:07:14.490 Surely he scorns the scornful, but gives grace 00:07:14.490 --> 00:07:17.250 to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, 00:07:17.529 --> 00:07:22.350 but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Chapter 00:07:22.350 --> 00:07:25.790 4 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, 00:07:25.889 --> 00:07:28.629 and give attention to no understanding, for I 00:07:28.629 --> 00:07:31.230 give you good doctrine. Do not forsake my law. 00:07:31.389 --> 00:07:34.490 When I was my father's son, tender and the only 00:07:34.490 --> 00:07:37.050 one in the sight of my mother, he also taught 00:07:37.050 --> 00:07:39.790 me and said to me, Let your heart retain my words. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:43.680 Keep my commands and live. Get wisdom, get understanding. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:46.819 Do not forget nor turn away from the words of 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:49.759 my mouth. Do not forsake her and she will preserve 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.860 you. Love her and she will keep you. Wisdom is 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:56.379 the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:59.519 in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.759 her and she will promote you. She will bring 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:04.399 you honor when you embrace her. She will place 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.980 on your head an ornament of grace, a crown of 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:09.939 glory she will deliver to you. Hear, my son, 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.420 and receive my sayings, and the years of your 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:14.800 life will be many. I have taught you in the way 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:17.939 of wisdom. I have led you in right path. When 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:20.459 you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:23.000 when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:26.240 hold of instruction. Do not let go. Keep her, 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:29.680 for she is your life. Do not enter the path of 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:32.019 the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.320 Avoid it. Do not travel on it. Turn away from 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:38.240 it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.580 they have done evil, and their sleep is taken 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:43.320 away unless they make someone fall. For they 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:45.720 eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:48.519 of violence. But the path of the just is like 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:51.820 the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:54.440 the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:57.500 darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:01.000 My son, give attention to my words. Incline your 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:04.000 ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.590 your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart, 00:09:06.730 --> 00:09:09.710 for they are life to those who find them and 00:09:09.710 --> 00:09:12.330 health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with 00:09:12.330 --> 00:09:14.990 all diligence, for out of it spring the issues 00:09:14.990 --> 00:09:17.909 of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth 00:09:17.909 --> 00:09:21.389 and put perverse lips far from you. Let your 00:09:21.389 --> 00:09:24.309 eyes look straight ahead and your eyelids look 00:09:24.309 --> 00:09:27.110 right before you. Ponder the path of your feet 00:09:27.110 --> 00:09:29.970 and let all your ways be established. Do not 00:09:29.970 --> 00:09:33.090 turn to the right or the left. Remove your foot 00:09:33.090 --> 00:09:40.620 from evil. I hope you enjoyed today's reading 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:42.960 as much as I did and I look forward to seeing 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:45.000 you again tomorrow to continue on our journey. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.799 God bless you and have a great day.