Proverbs, chapter 1
Wisdom, Advice, and Instruction
The first nine chapters of Proverbs include a variety of wise sayings and instruction poems. Much of the advice sounds like a parent speaking to a child but can be applied to other relationships as well, such as elder to youth and teacher to student. Wisdom is described as a woman who will protect the wise and help them live right. Wisdom is pictured as being present with the Lord at the beginning of creation and now is inviting all people to her house to partake of her banquet.
The purpose and theme of the entire book are summarized in Proverbs 1.2-7. The proverbs are meant to teach wisdom and self-control, and to help people learn what is right. Above all, wisdom is respecting and obeying the Lord.
How Proverbs Can Be Used
hese are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel,
the son of David.
2Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control
and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.
3You will learn what is right and honest and fair.
4From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart,
and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
5If you are already wise, you will become even wiser.
And if you are smart, you will learn to understand
6proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom,
and all kinds of riddles.
7Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the beginning of knowledge.
Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
Readers are told how to be wise, to live right, and to keep from being foolish or wicked.
Warnings against Bad Friends
8My child, obey the teachings of your parents,
9and wear their teachings as you would a pretty hat
or a lovely necklace.
10Don't be tempted by sinners or listen 11when they say,
“Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody,
just for the fun of it!
12They're well and healthy now,
but we'll finish them off once and for all.
13We'll take their valuables
and fill our homes with stolen goods.
14If you join our gang, you'll get your share.”
15Don't follow anyone like that or do what they do.
16They are in a big hurry to commit some crime,
perhaps even murder.
17They are like a bird that sees the bait,
but ignores the trap.
18They gang up to murder someone,
but they are the victims.
19The wealth you get from crime robs you of your life.
Wisdom Speaks
20Wisdom shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather.
21She shouts in the marketplaces and near the city gates
as she says to the people,
22“How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools?
Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge?
23Listen as I correct you and tell you what I think.
24You completely ignored me and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26“So when you are struck by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28You will ask for my help, but I won't listen;
you will search, but you won't find me.
29No, you would not learn,
and you refused to respect the Lord.
30You rejected my advice and paid no attention
when I warned you.
31“Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done,
until you are stuffed full with your own schemes.
32Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death
to stupid fools.
33But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure
without fear of disaster.”