Proverbs says: “If you keep seeking for it as for silver and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God. For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.” Do you put that kind of effort into learning about God’s Word?​—Proverbs 2:4-6.

7. (a) What can you do to make study and learning easier? (b) Why is this worth the effort?

⁷ You may be thinking: ‘But I don’t like to study​—reading is such a bore!’ Yet the more you read, the easier reading becomes. The more you learn, the easier learning is. You connect new information with things you already know, and you understand them better. As you make the effort, God blesses you. As your knowledge and understanding grow, you will find great joy in learning, and things you learn from God’s Word will protect you in today’s world. These are not just nice-sounding words or wishes. It is fact, truth, as Proverbs says: “When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you, to deliver you from the bad way, from the man speaking perverse things, from those leaving the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.”​—Proverbs 2:10-13.

[Box on page 22]

KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

The book of Proverbs has much to say about these three words. How do they differ?

KNOWLEDGE is familiarity with facts, which you may have learned through study, observation or personal experience. The wise person ‘treasures up knowledge’ and has a fund of it to draw upon.​—Proverbs 10:14.

WISDOM combines knowledge with sound judgment. It is the ability to use knowledge in a successful way, to solve problems and avoid dangers. It implies a breadth of knowledge and a depth of understanding that give soundness and clarity of judgment. If you had knowledge but did not know how to use it, you would lack wisdom. “Wisdom is the prime thing,” for without it knowledge is of little value.​—Proverbs 4:7.

UNDERSTANDING You now have an understanding of the difference between knowledge and wisdom​—you can distinguish or judge between them. You may follow a course because God commanded it, but if you understand the reason for it, the good purpose it serves and the benefits it brings, your determination becomes far stronger. Proverbs has practical information to help you understand not only what course is right or wrong but also why this is true.