#good judgment

The Way of Wisdom

1 Wisdom has built herself a house; she has carved her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her food, spiced her wine, and she has set her table. 3 She has sent out her young girls [with invitations]; she calls from the heights of the city, 4 “Whoever is unsure of himself, turn in here!” To someone weak-willed she says, 5 “Come and eat my food! Drink the wine I have mixed! 6 Don’t stay unsure of yourself, but live! Walk in the way of understanding!” 7 “He who corrects a scoffer only gets insulted; reproving a wicked man becomes his blemish. 8 If you reprove a scoffer, he will hate you; if you reprove a wise man, he will love you. 9 Give to a wise man, and he grows still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will learn still more. 10 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holy ones is understanding. 11 For with me, your days will be increased; years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom helps you; but if you scoff, you bear the consequences alone.”

“Do not let your sorrow about your tribulations prevail in your heart and excite it; hold it out, beyond the heart, and hasten to soften it and subdue it, so it does not interfere with your good judgment and right actions.”

~Venerable Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

TETH

65 You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word.

68 You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep your precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.

2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.

3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.

4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.

12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Folly Calls for a Hearing

13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.

14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.

15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.

16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”