Purpose and Theme

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.

my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Warning Against Adultery

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?

For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

Warnings Against Folly

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!

Warning Against Adultery

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

Proverbs of Solomon

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.