The Purpose of Proverbs

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

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Introduction and Purpose

The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.

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21 She cries out above[a] the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
22 “How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers(A) enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?(B)
23 If you respond to my warning,[b](C)
then I will pour out my spirit on you(D)
and teach you my words.
24 Since I called out and you refused,(E)
extended my hand and no one paid attention,(F)
25 since you neglected all my counsel(G)
and did not accept my correction,
26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.(H)
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.
28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will search for me, but won’t find me.(I)
29 Because they hated knowledge,
didn’t choose to fear the Lord,(J)
30 were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,(K)
31 they will eat the fruit of their way(L)
and be glutted with their own schemes.(M)
32 For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them,(N)
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will live securely
and be free from the fear of danger.”(O)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:21 Lit at the head of
  2. Proverbs 1:23 Lit back to my reprimand

21 She calls out at the busiest part[a] of the noisy streets,[b]
    and at the entrance to the gates of the city she utters her words:
22 “You naïve ones, how long will you love naiveté?
    And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing
        or fools hate knowledge?”
23 Return to my correction!
    Look, I will pour out my spirit on you,
        and I will make my words known to you.

The Consequences of Refusing Wisdom

24 “Because I called out to you and you refused to respond—[c]
    I appealed,[d] but no one paid attention—
25 because[e] you neglected all my advice
    and did not want my correction,
26 I will laugh at your calamity.
    I will mock when what you fear[f] comes,
27 when what you dread comes like a storm,
    and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind,
        when distress and anguish come upon you.

28 “Then they will call out to me,
    but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently,
    but they will not find me.

29 “Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord;
30 they did not want my advice,
    and they rejected all my correction.
31 They will eat the fruit[g] of their way,
    and they will be filled with their own devices.
32 Indeed, the waywardness[h] of the naïve will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 “But the person who listens to me will live safely
    and will be secure from the fear of evil.”

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:21 Lit. head
  2. Proverbs 1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read and on top of the walls
  3. Proverbs 1:24 Lit. you refused
  4. Proverbs 1:24 Lit. I stretched out my hand
  5. Proverbs 1:25 The Heb. lacks because
  6. Proverbs 1:26 Lit. when your fear
  7. Proverbs 1:31 I.e. experience the consequences
  8. Proverbs 1:32 So MT; DSS 4QProva reads narrow-mindedness; lit. the pull of; LXX reads Because they would wrong the naïve, they will be murdered