1The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2To know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; 3to receive instruction in wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man. 5The wise hears and increases learning, and the one of understanding gets wise counsel, 6to understand a proverb and an enigma; the words of the wise, and their difficult sayings. 7The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; 9for they shall be an ornament of grace to your head, and chains around your neck. 10My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 11If they say, Walk with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause, 12let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those who go down into the Pit, 13we shall find all sorts of precious stuff, we shall fill our houses with plunder; 14cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse. 15My son, do not walk in the way with them! Withhold your foot from their path; 16for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood. 17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18And they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own souls. 19So are the ways of everyone who gets unjust gain; it takes away the soul of its master. 20Wisdom cries aloud outside; she utters her voice in the square; 21she calls out over the tumult; at the openings of the gates, in the city she utters her words: 22How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity; and those who scorn desire their scorning; and fools hate knowledge? 23Turn back at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you; I will make my words known to you. 24Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one pays attention, 25but you have ignored all my counsel, and have not desired my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your terror comes; 27when your terror comes like a storm; and your devastation arrives like a tempest, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28Then they shall call upon me, and I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. 29Because they hated knowledge and chose not the fear of Jehovah. 30They did not desire my counsel; they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices. 32For the turning away of the simple kills them, and the ease of fools destroys them. 33But whoever listens to me shall live in confidence, and shall rest securely from the dread of evil.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 After the title the writer defines the design and nature of the instructions of the book. He paternally invites attention to those instructions and warns his readers against the enticements of the wicked. In a beautiful personification, wisdom is then introduced in a most solemn and impressive manner, publicly inviting men to receive its teachings, warning those who reject, and encouraging those who accept, the proffered instructions. (Pro. 1:1-33)
2 To know . . . instruction--literally, "for knowing," that is, such is the design of these writings.
wisdom--or the use of the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book for true piety.
instruction--discipline, by which men are trained.
to perceive--literally, "for perceiving," the design (as above)
understanding--that is, words which enable one to discern good and evil.
3 To receive . . . of wisdom--For receiving that discipline which discretion imparts. The Hebrew for "wisdom" differs from that of
Pro 1:2, and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite traits of the fool (
Pro 16:22).
justice . . . equity--all the attributes of one upright in all his relations to God and man.
4 simple--one easily led to good or evil; so the parallel.
young man--one inexperienced.
subtilty--or prudence (
Pro 3:21;
Pro 5:21).
discretion--literally, "device," both qualities, either good or bad, according to their use. Here good, as they imply wariness by which to escape evil and find good.
5 Such writings the wise, who pursue right ends by right means, will value.
learning--not the act, but matter of it.
wise counsels--or the art and principles of governing.
6 To understand--so as to . . . such will be the result.
interpretation--(Compare Margin).
words of the wise--(Compare
Pro 1:2).
dark sayings--(Compare
Ps 49:4;
John 16:25; and see Introduction, Part I).
7 The fear of the Lord--the principle of true piety (compare
Pro 2:5;
Pro 14:26-
Pro 14:27;
Job 28:28;
Ps 34:11;
Ps 111:10;
Acts 9:31).
beginning--first part, foundation.
fools--the stupid and indifferent to God's character and government; hence the wicked.
8 My son--This paternal form denotes a tender regard for the reader. Filial sentiments rank next to piety towards God, and ensure most distinguished rewards (compare
Pro 6:20;
Eph 6:2-
Eph 6:3).
9 On the figures of
Pro 1:9, compare
Gen 41:42;
Song 1:10;
Song 4:9.
10 A solemn warning against temptation.
entice--literally, "open the way."
consent . . . not--Sin is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.
11 Murder and robbery are given as specific illustrations.
lay wait . . . lurk privily--express an effort and hope for successful concealment.
swallow . . . grave--utterly destroy the victim and traces of the crime (
Num 16:33;
Ps 55:15). Abundant rewards of villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
15 The society of the wicked (way or path) is dangerous. Avoid the beginnings of sin (
Pro 4:14;
Ps 1:1;
Ps 119:101).
17 Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin (
Ps 9:16), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them (
1Tim 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20 Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare
Luke 11:49). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on
Pro 8:1).
Wisdom--literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare
Pro 9:1).
streets--or most public places, not secretly.
21 The publicity further indicated by terms designating places of most common resort.
22 simple ones--(Compare
Pro 1:4).
simplicity--implying ignorance.
scorners-- (
Ps 1:1) --who despise, as well as reject, truth.
fools--Though a different word is used from that of
Pro 1:7, yet it is of the same meaning.
23 reproof--implying conviction deserving it (compare
John 16:8, Margin).
pour out--abundantly impart.
my spirit--whether of wisdom personified, or of Christ, a divine agent.
24 stretched . . . hand--Earnestness, especially in beseeching, is denoted by the figure (compare
Job 11:13;
Ps 68:31;
Ps 88:9).
25 set at naught--rejected as of no value.
would none of--literally, "were not willing or inclined to it."
26 In their extreme distress He will not only refuse help, but aggravate it by derision.
27 fear--the object of it.
desolation--literally, "a tumultuous noise," denoting their utter confusion.
destruction--or calamity (
Pro 1:26) compared to a whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress-- (
Ps 4:1;
Ps 44:11).
anguish--a state of inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28 Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail (
Pro 8:17).
29 The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.
31 fruit . . . way--result of conduct (
Isa 3:10;
Ezek 11:21;
Rom 6:21;
Gal 6:7-
Gal 6:8).
be filled--even to repletion (
Ps 123:4).
32 turning away--that is, from the call of
Pro 1:23.
simple--as in
Pro 1:22.
prosperity--quiet, implying indifference.
33 dwell safely--literally, "in confidence" (
Deut 12:10).
be quiet--or at ease, in real prosperity.
from fear--without fear.