1Průpovědi Šalomouna, syna Davidova, izraelského krále, 2aby se poznala moudrost a kázeň, aby se pochopily poučné řeči, 3aby zjednaly vzorné vychování, spravedlnost, právo a mravnost, 4aby daly zkušenost nezkušeným, mládeži prozíravost a obezřelost. 5Když je slyší moudrý muž, ještě více zmoudří, rozumný pak získá schopnost, 6aby pochopil průpovědi a moudrá rčení, slova mudrců i jejich tajenky. 7Začátkem moudrosti je bázeň před Hospodinem, znalostí a kázní pohrdají jen pošetilci. 8Slyš, můj synu, napomenutí svého otce, nepohrdej poučením své matky. 9Neboť jsou půvabnou korunou na tvé hlavě, řetězem na tvém hrdle. 10Můj synu, když tě chtějí hříšníci zlákat, nedej se svést! 11Když ti řeknou: „Pojď s námi, strojme úklady poctivému, číhejme na nevinného, který se neprohřešil. 12Pohlťme je zaživa, jako hltá podsvětí, pohlťme je úplně, jako hltá hrob ty, kdo do něho sestupují. 13Nalezneme bohatství všeho druhu, kořistí naplníme své domy. 14Mějme společný osud, mějme i společný měšec!“ 15Můj synu, nechoď tou cestou, odvrať svou nohu od jejich stezky, 16neboť jejich nohy běží ke zlu, pospíchají, aby prolévaly krev. 17Vždyť nadarmo se roztahuje síť před očima opeřenců. 18Oni totiž číhají na vlastní život, úklady strojí na vlastní škodu. 19Tam vždycky vede chtivost, vlastního pána připraví o život. 20Moudrost se ozývá na ulicích, na náměstích povznáší svůj hlas. 21Na vrcholu hradeb volá, na křižovatkách v městě mluví: 22„Jak dlouho budou hlupáci milovat hloupost, v posměchu se kochat posměvači, pošetilci nenávidět moudrost? 23Přijmete-li mé výtky, vyleji na vás svého ducha, svoje myšlenky vám sdělím. 24Volala jsem, ale vy jste se zdráhali, vztahovala jsem ruku - ale nikdo si toho nevšiml. 25Nedbali jste na žádnou z mých rad, nestáli jste o mé výtky. 26Pak já se budu těšit z vašeho neštěstí, vysměji se, až na vás přijde hrůza, 27až vás stihne jako bouře úděs, až se jako vichr dostaví zkáza, až vás sevře úzkost a tíseň. 28Tu budou po mně volat, já však neodpovím, budou mě hledat, ale nenaleznou, 29neboť nenáviděli moudrost, nevybrali si bázeň před Hospodinem. 30Nelíbila se jim má rada, pohrdli každou mou výtkou. 31Ať jen okusí z plodů svého chování, ať se nasytí svými záměry, 32vždyť vlastní lenost zabije pošetilce, hlupáky zahubí jejich bezstarostnost. 33Kdo však mě slyší, bude žít v bezpečí, v klidu, beze strachu před zlem.“
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.