-
Purpose and Theme
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
-
for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
-
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
-
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-
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.
-
If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul;
-
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;
-
for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.
-
How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!
-
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
-
Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
-
Wisdom’s Rebuke
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;
-
“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
-
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
-
But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
-
I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
-
“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
-
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
-
but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
-
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
-
indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
-
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
-
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,