箴言十三和十四章裡，所羅門多次地運用義人與惡人愚拙的對比描述手法。他強調義人必勝過惡人──智慧人必勝過愚昧人（十三：9，22；十四：11，19節）。這段經文中，對於智慧人的描述又如何呢？凡對於耶和華誡命忠貞不渝的便是智慧人。這人行事正直，因為他敬畏耶和華和祂的誡命。敬畏耶和華的必得善報，敬畏耶和華的大有倚靠；他的兒女也有避難所。他將得著湧流不息生命泉源的喜樂生命。我們的主耶穌就是這賜生命活水的泉源，凡信靠祂的人必不死（十三：13，14；14：2，26，27；約翰福音四：13~14節）。

        智慧人謹守自己的腳蹤、嘴唇、性情。智慧人只說誠實的言語，因此所說的話將為他見證。他勤勞作工，因此他的產業積增有餘，甚且被澤子孫（十三：22；十四：4，23）。一位殷勤跟隨主的男子或婦人，又能憐憫貧窮人的（十四：21，31），那人必得著生命的益處，因為他／她必得著心靈的豐裕與滿足（十三：4，19，25）。智慧、敬虔婦人所建立的家室，必興盛如避難所和城堡一般，因為房子的根基乃是建立在耶和華及耶和華的話語之上。（十四：1，11）。

        屬靈產業的繼承較物質產業的繼承更為重要，而智慧和正直的人將使其兒女及其兒女的兒女繼承這份屬靈的產業。正如經上的教導，當一個人以正直及敬畏耶和華的事，教育他們的兒女，且樂於兒女們年輕時，施予正確地管教，那麼將使其兒女們，學會跟隨耶和華的道路，及順服上帝旨意的重要功課。久而久之，那孩子將會成為一個行在耶和華的道路上，而不行在滅亡之路上的孩子（十三：24；十九：18，廿二：6，15；廿三：13~14）。

        在箴言書的其他重要的經文裡，所羅門警戒我們要謹慎擇友。因為與智慧人為友，將會受到正面的薰陶，使其亦成為智者。反之，若與惡人為伍，惟有招致滅亡（十三：20；十四：7）。智慧人留心敬虔忠告者的忠信勸言，並且尊重他們的責備（十三：10，18）。如此，將有助於智慧人行在耶和華通往永生的道路上，反之，那為所欲為且心中滿了私慾之人；人以為是正路，但卻是引領至死亡之路（十四：12，14）。

        儘管，所有人類必有一死，但「有一處死亡的避難所」卻成為義人的指望（十四：32）。主耶穌乃是我們這些信靠之人的榮耀盼望，祂是我們的所求所想，祂也帶來生命的滿足。祂將生命樹和生命之光賜給了我們，使我們在祂裡面找到喜悅（十三：9，12，19）。我們的主，好比一位良善的國王，祂看重智慧僕人向祂的忠心與善行。當義人國度的人數滿足時，那時主必高舉那國度。然而，那些不順從神權制理的國度，那時必要在上帝的忿怒下受審判，正如已發生的歷史（如；以色列國度、巴比倫王國、羅馬帝國等歷史）所載一般。

        耶和華上帝啊！現在我們為我們的國家，以及我們的家族向您祈求。因為，我們知道您祝福給那敬畏您的人，而使那些背逆之子迎向毀滅之路。主啊！但願我們常讓您在我們生活中居首位。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        In Proverbs 13 and 14, Solomon relates many contrasts between the righteous man and the wicked fool. He emphasizes the triumph of the righteous over the wicked — the wise over the foolish (e.g. 13:9, 22; 14:11,19). How does this portion of scripture describe the one who is wise? The wise person is one who is faithful to the Lord's commands. He walks in uprightness because he fears the Lord and His commands. This healthy fear of God is rewarding and will cause him to enjoy a strong confidence in the Lord, and even his children will find their refuge in God. He will enjoy life more abundantly from the fountain of living water. Our Lord Jesus is the source of this life-giving water, and those who trust in Him will not see death (13:13,14; 14:2, 26, 27; cf. John 4:13-14).

        The wise person guards his steps, his mouth, and his temper. He speaks only the truth, and therefore his words preserve him (13:2-3, 5; 14:3, 5, 15-17, 29). He is diligent and hard working, and thus he enjoys an increase and leaves an inheritance that will even benefit his grandchildren (13:22; 14:4, 23). A man's or a woman's diligence in following the Lord, including showing mercy to the needy (14:21, 31), also benefits his or her own soul, for that one will be spiritually enriched and satisfied (13:4, 19, 25). The home of the wise, godly woman will flourish and be like a refuge and a fortress, since it's foundation is the Lord and His Word (14:1, 11).

        More important than a material inheritance is the spiritual inheritance that the wise and righteous man passes on to his children and grandchildren. As the Scripture teaches, when a person instructs his children in righteousness and in the fear of the Lord, and when he lovingly disciplines the erring child so that from a young age the child will learn the importance of following the Lord's ways and yielding to the will of God, that child will grow to follow the way of the Lord and not the way of destruction (13:24; cf. 19:18, 22:6, 15; 23:13-14).

        In other important proverbs, Solomon warns us to choose our friends carefully, since keeping company with wise people will have a positive influence, making one wiser, but sinful companions bring only destruction (13:20; 14:7). The wise person heeds the good advise of godly counsellors and regards their reproof (13:10,18). This will help him to follow the way of the Lord which leads to everlasting life, as opposed to the man full of self-will who goes his own way, believing it is the right way, yet it leads him to death (14:12,14).

        Even though all mankind must die, there is hope for the righteous person who "has a refuge in his death" (14:32). The Lord Jesus is the believer's Hope of Glory. He is our desire, and He brings sweetness to the soul. He gives us the tree of life and the light of life, wherein we find joy (13:9, 12, 19). Like a good king, the Lord looks upon His faithful and wise servants favourably. When there are enough righteous people in a nation, the Lord will exalt that nation, but if disobedience to God overrules, then that nation will come under His wrath and judgment, as history has proven (e.g. Israel, Babylon, Rome).

        Lord God, we pray today for our nation, as well as our own family. For we know that blessings follow those who fear You and destruction follows those who do not. May we always put You first in every area of our lives.