The Usefulness of Proverbs

The (A)proverbs of Solomon (B)the son of David, king of Israel:

To know (C)wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of (D)understanding,
To (E)receive instruction in wise behavior,
(F)Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
To give (G)prudence to the naive,
To the youth (H)knowledge and discretion,
A wise person will hear and (I)increase in learning,
And a (J)person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a saying,
The words of the wise and their (K)riddles.

(L)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Read full chapter

Purpose and Theme

The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)

for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.