1Príslovia izraelského kráľa Šalamúna, 2aby sa človek naučil múdrosti a kázni a porozumel rozvážnym rečiam, 3aby dosiahol poučenie o múdrom konaní, spravodlivosti, práve a statočnosti; 4aby dali neskúsenému rozumnosť a mládeži poznanie a rozvahu. 5Ak múdry poslúcha, rozmnoží si vedomosti, rozumný získa umenie dať sa viesť, 6chápať príslovia a podobenstvá, slová mudrcov a ich inotaje. 7Bázeň pred Hospodinom je počiatkom poznania; blázni pohŕdajú múdrosťou a kázňou. 8Počúvaj, syn môj, napomínanie svojho otca a nezavrhuj poúčanie svojej matky, 9lebo sú ľúbezným vencom na tvojej hlave a šperkom na tvojom hrdle. 10Syn môj, ak ťa zvádzajú hriešnici, neprivoľuj! 11Ak povedia: Poď s nami chystať krvavé úklady, zákerne striehnuť na nevinného bez príčiny, 12pohltíme ich zaživa a zdravých ako záhrobie, ako tých, čo zostupujú do hrobu; 13nájdeme rozličné drahocennosti, naplníme si domy korisťou; 14hoď si svoj lós medzi nami, všetci budeme mať jeden mešec; 15syn môj, nevydaj sa s nimi na cestu, zdrž svoje nohy od ich chodníkov! 16Lebo ich nohy bežia ku zlému a ponáhľajú sa prelievať krv. 17Veď nadarmo sa rozprestiera sieť, ak ju všetci okrídlenci vidia. 18Oni na vlastnú krv striehnu, nastavujú osídla proti vlastnému životu. 19Tak sa vodí každému, kto baží po zisku; to berie život tomu, kto ho má. 20Múdrosť kričí na ulici, na námestiach vydáva svoj hlas. 21Na vrchu hradieb volá, pri vchodoch do mestských brán vraví svoje reči: 22Vy neskúsení, dokedy chcete milovať prostotu? Dokedy budú posmievači túžiť po posmechu a blázni nenávidieť poznanie? 23Obráťte sa k môjmu karhaniu! Vylejem na vás svojho ducha, dám vám poznať svoje slová. 24Pretože ste sa zdráhali, keď som volala, nik si nevšimol, keď som vystierala ruku; 25nedbali ste na moju radu a na moje karhanie ste nič nedali, 26ja sa tiež budem smiať z vášho nešťastia, posmievať sa budem, keď vás zachváti hrôza, 27keď sa priženie hrôza ako príval a privalí nešťastie ako víchrica, keď doľahne na vás úzkosť a súženie. 28Vtedy ma budú volať, ale sa neohlásim, hľadať ma budú, ale nenájdu. 29Pretože nenávideli poznanie, nevyvolili si bázeň pred Hospodinom, 30moju radu nechceli, zavrhli všetko moje karhanie: 31Teraz budú jesť z ovocia svojich ciest a nasýtia sa svojimi zámermi. 32Lebo odpadlíctvo zabíja neskúsených a bezstarostnosť hubí bláznov. 33Kto však mňa počúva, bude bezpečne bývať, bez starosti, bez strachu pred nešťastím.
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.