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You've probably gotten a lot of spam like this: UNIVERSITY DIPLOMAS OBTAIN A PROSPEROUS FUTURE. MONEY-EARNING POWER, AND THE PRESTIGE THAT COMES WITH HAVING THE CAREER POSITION YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF. DIPLOMAS FROM PRESTIGIOUS NON-ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES BASED ON YOUR PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE. If you qualify, no required tests, classes, books or examinations. Bachelors', Masters', MBA's, Doctorate & Ph.D. degrees available in your field. CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED CALL NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA WITHIN 2 WEEKS Every time I get one of these, I can see someone filling out a job application claiming a degree from some high-sounding, (non-accredited) university with a resume as phony as the diploma. I think of what the Book of Proverbs says about this: "Why does a fool offer the sage a fee, when he has no mind to learn?" (Prov. 17:16, Moffatt). Though it's probably out of print, a great little book on the Proverbs is, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary. It's by The Rev. Derek Kidner, M.A. published by Inter-Varsity Press. It's part of Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Kidner has some insightful things to say about this fool. He "laps up" what the sages have to say, and when he opens his mouth, he doesn't understand how foolish he sounds (15:2). Even when he quotes a proverb, it sounds as limp as the legs on a lame man (26:7). When he makes a move that he thinks will sound intelligent, he really shows his stupidity (13:16). Kidner says, "The root of his trouble is spiritual, not mental. He likes his folly, going back to it `like a dog that returns to his vomit.'" He has no morality for truth, but will use deception like false degrees and resumes. "The folly of fools is deception" (14:8). The root of their complete lack of morality is that "since they hated knowledge [they] did not choose to fear the Lord" (1:29). The fool is more than just a problem (14:7); he is a menace. "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly." Keep your distance (17:12). Probably, saddest of all, is the fact that you can't disown him. The fool brings sorrow to his parents (10:1; 17:21), bitterness (17:25) and calamity (19:13). Kidner says, "It is the price of loving him; but it causes him no qualms--he despises them (15:20). I have a suggestion. Instead of trying to pass off a phony diploma and resume, how about going back to school? # # #