After King Amaziah of Judah consulted with his advisers, ¹  he sent this message to the king of Israel, Joash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, “Come, face me on the battlefield.” ² 

From whom does he receive directions? ¹  Who ²  teaches him the correct way to do things, ³  or imparts knowledge to him, or instructs him in skillful design? ⁴ 

Since many of them had no desire to eat, ¹  Paul ²  stood up ³  among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me ⁴  and not put out to sea ⁵  from Crete, thus avoiding ⁶  this damage and loss.

Moses listened to ¹  his father-in-law and did everything he had said.

The men examined ¹  some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice. ² 

Saul accepted Jonathan’s advice ¹  and took an oath, “As surely as the Lord lives, he will not be put to death.”

He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, ¹  for his mother gave him evil advice. ² 

“But ²  as for me, ³  I would seek ⁴  God, ⁵  and to God ⁶  I would set forth my case. ⁷ 

He catches ¹  the wise in their own craftiness, ²  and the counsel of the cunning ³  is brought to a quick end. ⁴ 

“Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? ¹ 

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have revived me.

Listen, children, ²  to a father’s instruction, ³  and pay attention so that ⁴  you may gain ⁵  discernment.

Listen, my child, ¹  and accept my words, so that ²  the years of your life will be many. ³ 

Hold on to instruction, ¹  do not let it go; protect it, ²  because it is your life.

My child, guard the commands of your father and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.

For the commandments ¹  are like ²  a lamp, ³  instruction is like a light, and rebukes of discipline are like ⁴  the road leading to life, ⁵ 

My child, ²  keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. ³ 

All the words of my mouth are righteous; ¹  there is nothing in them twisted ²  or crooked.

The speech ¹  of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, ²  but the one who speaks perversion ³  will be destroyed. ⁴ 

Instruction ¹  from the wise ²  is like ³  a life-giving fountain, ⁴  to turn ⁵  a person ⁶  from deadly snares. ⁷