-
Purpose and Theme
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
-
My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
-
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
-
my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
-
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
-
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
-
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
-
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
-
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
-
who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
-
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
-
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
-
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
-
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
-
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
-
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
-
by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
-
For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
-
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
-
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
-
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
-
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
-
for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
-
And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”
-
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
