Lady Wisdom or Floozy Folly

Lady Wisdom or Floozy Folly Proverbs 8-9

Wisdom is a Lady What is wisdom? • the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight. • the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight What is a lady? • a well-mannered, considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior. • a woman head of a household. • a feminine title of nobility

Folly is a Floozy What is folly? • the trait of acting stupidly or rashly • A lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight. What is a floozy? • a woman of loose morals, woman regarded as tawdry or sexually promiscuous. • a prostitute who attracts customers by walking the streets.

Lady Wisdom’s Invitation Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.” Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 8:1-6

Lady Wisdom’s Invitation Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.“ 8:11,22-23,34-36

Lady Wisdom’s Invitation Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding. 9:1-6

Lady Wisdom’s Invitation Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.“ 9:7-12

Floozy Folly’s Temptation The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. “Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave. 9:13-18

Falling for a Foolish Floozy… The lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 5:3-5

Or Treasuring a Wise Wife. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies? 5:18-20; 18:22; 31:10

Heart-focused Honors work Careful words Clear thinking Honestly direct Abundant life Showy Lazy Gabby Boozy Sneaky Deadly Floozy Folly Lady Wisdom

Showy Floozy Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. (6:25-26) Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (11:22) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (31:30)

Lady Wisdom’s Heart Focus Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (3:5) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (4:23) Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (14:33) The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (15:28) The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (20:5)

Lazy Floozy Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (6:6) The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!" As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. (26:13-16)

Lady Wisdom Honors Work Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (12:24) All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (14:23) Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (22:29) Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. (24:27) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (31:17)

Gabby Floozy He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. (10:18) A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. (11:13). A gossip separates close friends. (16:28) A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. 17:4 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (26:20) A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. (26:24) He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (13:3)

Lady Wisdom’s Word Power I open my lips to speak what is right. (8:6) When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (10:19) The lips of the righteous nourish many. (10:21) The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (12:15) The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. (18:17) Lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. (20:15) An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (24:26) He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (15:31) Better is open rebuke than hidden love. (27:5)

Boozy Floozy Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. (20:1) Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine…Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” (23:29-35)

Lady Wisdom’s Clear Thinking …for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life (1:3) The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (27:12) Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. (23:23) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:17-18)

Sneaky Floozy I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She took hold of him and kissed him With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver… little knowing it will cost him his life.(7:7-23) "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!“ (9:17)

Deadly Floozy For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. (2:18) Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. (7:27) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (14:12) The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. (21:25) Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. (27:20)

Lady Wisdom’s Abundant Life Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (3:16-18) Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. (4:13) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (11:30) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. (14:27)

Heart-focused Honors work Careful words Clear thinking Honestly direct Abundant life Showy Lazy Gabby Boozy Sneaky Deadly Floozy Folly Lady Wisdom

Lady Wisdom or Floozy Folly? As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly (26:11). He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (13:2). There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. (21:30) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (16:3) Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? (20:9) Whoever conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (28:13)

Lady Wisdom or Floozy Folly