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wisdom — by the book.

Proverbs 1:1-6 (JDV).

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
Proverbs 1:2 For knowing wisdom and training; for understanding insightful words;
Proverbs 1:3 for receiving successful training in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Proverbs 1:4 for giving cleverness to the morally naive, knowledge and discretion to a young man —
Proverbs 1:5 a wise person should listen and increase learning, and a discerning person should obtain guidance —
Proverbs 1:6 to understand a proverb or an allusive saying, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

wisdom — by the book.

If we want wisdom we should ask for it, but before we ask, we have to go through the first door. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD. It is just too comfortable to remain in ignorance and self-reliance. Do you dare to imagine that there is another entire universe where things can go right because we followed the right instructions? Dare to seek wisdom from the only one who can really give it?

LORD, give us wisdom.

But wait. He already has given us wisdom, right here in this dusty old book of Proverbs. Is it wisdom to avoid the gift we already have, and seek another? No, that would be something else. Gaining God’ wisdom is a process, not an event.

LORD, give us the patience to learn your wisdom — by the book.