Proverbs 9

As I opened to the Proverb of the Day, I was lead to verse 9, Give instruction to the wise man, and he will be still wise; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. There is no one so wise but that he may gain yet more wisdom if he will heed the teachings of others, and sometimes those very new to the faith may bring glorious truth to the attention of those who have been long saved. But learning comes only by listening. Note that “instruction” is italicized, showing that it is not in the original text. Probably Solomon intentionally omitted the noun after ‘give,’ to leave the reader to supply reproof, instruction, discipline, and all other means of improvement. Nothing more marks the distinction between the scorner and the wise man than the effect of discipline on each: the scorner becomes worse, the wise man better by it. All Scripture is profitable to reprove and to instruct us that we may be fitted to serve God, (2 Tim. 3:16-17). How I need to remain a teachable man!