¹²“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.¹³The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. ¹⁴Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. ¹⁵By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. ¹⁶By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. ¹⁷I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. ¹⁸Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. ¹⁹My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver. ²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, ²¹to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”

Wisdom has so much more to offer than folly, winning by a landslide. One gives long-term benefits, whereas the other only provides short-lived benefits. Wisdom relates to prudence, knowledge, and discretion—a tremendous triad. It is so opposite of foolishness that wisdom is said to hate evil, pride, arrogance, and a perverted mouth. The poetic force is powerful. In verse 14, wisdom owns good and wise counsel, and to know wisdom is not benign but proves powerful. This truth can be seen in those who rule with justice and equity. They get to those positions because of wisdom, and they wield great power over many people.

God is not in the business of giving wisdom to lazy people who want it to sprinkle down from heaven or come through some spiritual osmosis. No, wisdom is only available to those who sincerely desire and seek it (vs. 17). But foolishness is “easy pickings,” readily available because it takes so little effort to acquire. Wise people are always learning, growing, and wanting to understand. Yes, wisdom will result in financial and honorific benefits, but there is “fruit” that is far better (vss. l8-19).

So what fruit is there beyond gaining wealth and honor? In the practical realm, two things are better. First, walking rightly before the Lord, and second, sharing the blessings with others. A wise, wealthy person shares his wealth with others (vss. 20-21). Foolishness cannot compete with or join wisdom. The two cannot mix. The only enticement foolishness can offer is a moment of short-lived, self-focused pleasure. That may be sexual, as illustrated in Proverbs, but it could be the pleasure of “telling someone off,” spreading gossip, being judgmental, envying, stealing, and the list goes on. All these things bring a form of pleasure, an outlet, or an expression of self-focus. Wisdom is far more productive for living life well.

Lord, help me fully embrace wisdom in the direct presence of temptation to live for my self-pleasure or aggrandizement.