旧约 - 箴言(Proverbs)第4章

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
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; listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
箴言第四章   第 4 章 

  箴 4:3-4> 大卫对所罗门有哪些教导?对作父母的有何借鉴? 

  4:3-4 作父母最大的责任之一,就是鼓励儿女作智慧人。所罗门告诉我们,当他年幼(娇儿)的时候,他父亲大卫鼓励他寻求智慧(参王上 2:1-9 ;代上 28-29 章)。他父亲的鼓励,可能促使了所罗门后来向神求智慧(参王上 3:9 )。智慧是可以藉父母传给儿女,一代一代地传下去的,但追根溯源,所有的智慧皆由神而来,父母劝儿女寻求神,才是让他们获得无穷智慧的惟一方法。假使你的父母从来没有这样教导过你的话,神的道(圣经)也可以像慈爱的父母一样引导你寻找智慧。你可以从圣经之中学到智慧,并在你教导自己儿女的时候,建立传承智慧的传统,使智慧能代代相传。 

  箴 4:5-7> 怎么别人显得那么有智慧?我的追求是不是不迫切? 

  4:5-7 要得智慧,必须定意追求。一旦决心开始追求,不管道路怎样艰难,都不要放弃。这不是人生中只作一次的抉择,而是要每天不断地在义人( 4:18 )与恶人( 4:14-17 , 19 )的两条道路上作出抉择。没有任何事比追求智慧更重要、更有价值。 

  箴 4:7> 只求智慧不求其他,有多少人会像所罗门那样做? 

  4:7 在所罗门年幼时,大卫教导他,寻求神的智慧是所罗门能作的最重要抉择。所罗门听从了父亲的教导,所以当他在位之初、神向他显现并答允赐他一切所求的时候,他只求智慧而不求其他。我们不需要等到神显现时才祈求,现在就可以藉着祷告,大胆地向祂求智慧。雅各书 1 章 5 节说,神必会应允我们的祈求。 

  箴 4:13-17> 你以什么标准择友?你能为原则不惜牺牲友情吗? 

  4:13-17 朋友也能使你犯罪,人往往很难接受这一点。年轻人都不想自己遭排斥,所以很少反对或批评朋友的错处;许多人甚至看不出朋友的所作所为会产生祸患。我们要接纳别人,但也要正当地质疑别人的行为。在你觉得深受别人影响的时候,应当小心,不要让朋友使你陷入罪中。 

  有意义生活的策略 

  箴 4:23-27> 一生的果效由心发出,这心指的是── 

  4:23-27 我们的心就是指我们对爱与欲望的感受。心主宰我们的生活方式,因为我们总想找时间做自己喜欢的事。所罗门吩咐我们,要保守自己的心,胜过保守一切;一定要专注于那些保守我们行于正道上的意念。要确保你的情感能使你走向正确的方向,不要单单追求所看到的一切。你的眼目要向前正看,专注于目标上,不可分心,更不要走上令你犯罪的歧途。──《灵修版圣经注释》