Proverbs 5:12–14 (NKJV) — 12 And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! 13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! 14 I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

Bitter regret, too late. The cry of the person who reaps the bitter results of moral impurity is, “Why didn’t I listen?” The way to avoid this dilemma is to do just the opposite of the example of these verses: (1) love instruction; (2) love reproof; (3) obey teachers; (4) incline the ear to those who instruct.

[archive]