Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:… We are all ready to listen to the voices of nature — of the mountain, the sea, the storm, the star. How few learn anything from the voices of the noisy and dusty street. Learn — I. THAT THIS LIFE IS A SCENE OF TOIL AND STRUGGLE. Can it be that passing up and down these streets on your way to work you do not learn anything of the world's toil, and anxiety, and struggle? II. THAT ALL CLASSES AND CONDITIONS OF SOCIETY MUST COMMINGLE. We sometimes culture a wicked exclusiveness. All classes of people are compelled to meet on the street. The democratic principle of the gospel recognises the fact that we stand before God on one and the same platform. III. THAT IT IS A VERY HARD THING FOR A MAN TO KEEP HIS HEART RIGHT AND TO GET TO HEAVEN. Infinite temptations spring upon us from these places of public concourse. IV. THAT LIFE IS FULL OF PRETENSION AND SHAM. What subterfuge, what double-dealing, what two-facedness! V. THAT THE STREET IS A GREAT FIELD FOR CHRISTIAN CHARITY. There are hunger, and suffering, and want, and wretchedness in the country; but these evils chiefly congregate in our great cities. On every street crime prowls, and drunkenness staggers, and shame winks, and pauperism thrusts out its hand, asking for alms. (T. De Witt Talmage.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:WEB: Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. |
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