A. — God judgeth the righteous and is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Psalm vii, 11, 13.
Q. 36. — As since the fall, man likes to pose as knowing and wise, but often seeks wisdom in matters that God countsfoolishness, the question is: By what quality can we make a beginning in true wisdom?
A. — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all they that do His commandments; His praise endureth forever. Psalm cxi, 10.
Q. 37. — Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, is it desirable for the young to begin all their undertakings in the fear of God?
A. — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs i, 7.
Q. 38. — To live wisely what must we avoid?
A. — Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Job xxviii, 28.
Q. 39. — Can we find information where true knowledge resides?
A. — Wisdom enters not the portals of a wicked soul, nor dwells in a body under the bondage of sin. For the Holy Ghost which teaches aright avoids the idolatrous and departs from the profligate who will be punished for his sins. Wisdom is so exalted that she will not permit the scoffer to go unpunished. For God is a witness of every thought. He knows the innermost recesses of every heart. He hears every word. The orb of the world is filled with the Spirit of the Lord. He who fathomest speech is everywhere. Therefore, he who speaks falsely will not escape; and the right by which he is to be judged will not fail him. Wisdom of Solomon i, 4-8.
Q. 40. — Where then doth it dwell?
A. — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and is alone the heart's foundation of all believers. It dwells with the elect of womankind and is to be found only with the righteous and believing ones. Sirach i, 16.
