1Dies sind die SprücheH4912 SalomosH8010, des KönigsH4428 in IsraelH3478, des SohnesH1121 DavidsH1732, 2zu lernenH3045 WeisheitH2451 und ZuchtH4148, VerstandH561 H998, 3KlugheitH7919, GerechtigkeitH6664, RechtH4941 und SchlechtH4339; 4daßH5414 die UnverständigenH6612 klugH6195 und die JünglingeH5288 vernünftigH1847 und vorsichtigH4209 werdenH5414. 5Wer weiseH2450 ist, der hörtH8085 zu und bessert H3948 H3254 sich; wer verständigH995 ist, der läßtH7069 sich ratenH8458, 6daß er versteheH995 die SprücheH4912 und ihre DeutungH4426, die LehreH1697 der WeisenH2450 und ihre BeispieleH2420. 7Des HERRNH3068 FurchtH3374 ist AnfangH7225 der ErkenntnisH1847. Die RuchlosenH191 verachtenH936 WeisheitH2451 und ZuchtH4148. 8Mein KindH1121, gehorcheH8085 der ZuchtH4148 deines VatersH1 und verlaßH5203 nichtH5203 das GebotH8451 deiner MutterH517. 9Denn solches ist ein schönerH2580 SchmuckH3880 deinem HauptH7218 und eine KetteH6060 an deinem HalseH1621. 10Mein KindH1121, wenn dich die bösen BubenH2400 lockenH6601, so folgeH14 nicht. 11Wenn sie sagenH559: «GeheH3212 mit uns! wir wollen auf BlutH1818 lauernH693 und den UnschuldigenH5355 ohne UrsacheH2600 nachstellenH6845; 12wir wollen sie lebendigH2416 verschlingenH1104 wie die HölleH7585 und die FrommenH8549 wie die, so hinunterH3381 in die GrubeH953 fahrenH3381; 13wir wollen großesH3368 GutH1952 findenH4672; wir wollen unsre HäuserH1004 mit RaubH7998 füllenH4390; 14 wage H1486 H5307 es mitH8432 uns! es soll unser aller einH259 BeutelH3599 sein": 15mein KindH1121, wandleH3212 den WegH1870 nicht mit ihnen; wehreH4513 deinem FußH7272 vor ihrem PfadH5410. 16Denn ihr FüßeH7272 laufenH7323 zum BösenH7451 und eilenH4116, BlutH1818 zu vergießenH8210. 17Denn es ist vergeblichH2600, das NetzH7568 auswerfenH2219 vor den AugenH5869 der VögelH1167 H3671. 18Sie aber lauernH693 auf ihr eigen BlutH1818 und stellenH6845 sich selbst nach dem LebenH5315. 19Also gehtH734 esH734 allen, die nach GewinnH1215 geizenH1214, daß ihr Geiz ihnenH1167 das LebenH5315 nimmtH3947. 20Die WeisheitH2454 klagtH7442 draußenH2351 und läßt sich hören H6963 H5414 auf den GassenH7339; 21sie ruftH7121 in dem EingangH6607 des ToresH8179, vornH7218 unter dem VolkH1993; sie redetH559 ihre WorteH561 in der StadtH5892: 22Wie lange wollt ihr UnverständigenH6612 unverständig H6612 H157 sein und die SpötterH3887 LustH2530 zu SpöttereiH3944 haben und die RuchlosenH3684 die LehreH1847 hassenH8130? 23KehretH7725 euch zu meiner StrafeH8433. Siehe, ich will euch heraussagenH5042 meinen GeistH7307 und euch meine WorteH1697 kundtunH3045. 24Weil ich denn rufeH7121, und ihr weigertH3985 euch, ich reckeH5186 meine HandH3027 ausH5186, und niemand achtetH7181 darauf, 25und laßt fahrenH6544 allen meinen RatH6098 und wolletH14 meine StrafeH8433 nicht: 26so will ich auch lachenH7832 in eurem UnglückH343 und euer spottenH3932, wenn da kommtH935, was ihr fürchtetH6343, 27wenn über euch kommtH935 wie ein SturmH7584 H7722, was ihr fürchtetH6343, und euer UnglückH343 alsH857 ein WetterH5492, wenn über euch AngstH6695 und NotH6869 kommtH935. 28Dann werden sie nach mir rufenH7121, aber ich werde nicht antwortenH6030; sie werden mich suchenH7836, und nicht findenH4672. 29Darum, daß sie haßtenH8130 die LehreH1847 und wolltenH977 des HERRNH3068 FurchtH3374 nichtH977 habenH977, 30wolltenH14 meinen RatH6098 nicht und lästertenH5006 alle meine StrafeH8433: 31so sollen sie essenH398 von den FrüchtenH6529 ihres WesensH1870 und ihres RatsH4156 sattH7646 werden. 32Was die UnverständigenH6612 gelüstetH4878, tötetH2026 sie, und der RuchlosenH3684 GlückH7962 bringtH6 sie umH6. 33Wer aber mir gehorchtH8085, wird sicherH983 bleibenH7931 und genug haben und keinH7599 UnglückH7451 fürchtenH6343.
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.