1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
1 The proverbs H4912 of Solomon H8010 the son H1121 of David, H1732 king H4428 of Israel; H3478
2 To know H3045 wisdom H2451 and instruction; H4148 to perceive H995 the words H561 of understanding; H998
3 To receive H3947 the instruction H4148 of wisdom, H7919 justice, H6664 and judgment, H4941 and equity; H4339
4 To give H5414 subtilty H6195 to the simple, H6612 to the young man H5288 knowledge H1847 and discretion. H4209
5 A wise H2450 man will hear, H8085 and will increase H3254 learning; H3948 and a man of understanding H995 shall attain H7069 unto wise counsels: H8458
6 To understand H995 a proverb, H4912 and the interpretation; H4426 the words H1697 of the wise, H2450 and their dark sayings. H2420
7 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is the beginning H7225 of knowledge: H1847 but fools H191 despise H936 wisdom H2451 and instruction. H4148
8 My son, H1121 hear H8085 the instruction H4148 of thy father, H1 and forsake H5203 not the law H8451 of thy mother: H517
9 For they shall be an ornament H3880 of grace H2580 unto thy head, H7218 and chains H6060 about thy neck. H1621
10 My son, H1121 if sinners H2400 entice H6601 thee, consent H14 thou not.
11 If they say, H559 Come H3212 with us, let us lay wait H693 for blood, H1818 let us lurk H6845 privily for the innocent H5355 without cause: H2600
12 Let us swallow them up H1104 alive H2416 as the grave; H7585 and whole, H8549 as those that go down H3381 into the pit: H953
13 We shall find H4672 all precious H3368 substance, H1952 we shall fill H4390 our houses H1004 with spoil: H7998
14 Cast H5307 in thy lot H1486 among H8432 us; let us all have one H259 purse: H3599
15 My son, H1121 walk H3212 not thou in the way H1870 with them; refrain H4513 thy foot H7272 from their path: H5410
16 For their feet H7272 run H7323 to evil, H7451 and make haste H4116 to shed H8210 blood. H1818
17 Surely in vain H2600 the net H7568 is spread H2219 in the sight H5869 of any bird. H1167 H3671
18 And they lay wait H693 for their own blood; H1818 they lurk privily H6845 for their own lives. H5315
19 So are the ways H734 of every one that is greedy H1214 of gain; H1215 which taketh away H3947 the life H5315 of the owners H1167 thereof.
20 Wisdom H2454 crieth H7442 without; H2351 she uttereth H5414 her voice H6963 in the streets: H7339
21 She crieth H7121 in the chief place H7218 of concourse, H1993 in the openings H6607 of the gates: H8179 in the city H5892 she uttereth H559 her words, H561 saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, H6612 will ye love H157 simplicity? H6612 and the scorners H3887 delight H2530 in their scorning, H3944 and fools H3684 hate H8130 knowledge? H1847
23 Turn H7725 you at my reproof: H8433 behold, I will pour out H5042 my spirit H7307 unto you, I will make known H3045 my words H1697 unto you.
24 Because I have called, H7121 and ye refused; H3985 I have stretched out H5186 my hand, H3027 and no man regarded; H7181
25 But ye have set at nought H6544 all my counsel, H6098 and would H14 none of my reproof: H8433
26 I also will laugh H7832 at your calamity; H343 I will mock H3932 when your fear H6343 cometh; H935
27 When your fear H6343 cometh H935 as desolation, H7722 H7584 and your destruction H343 cometh H857 as a whirlwind; H5492 when distress H6869 and anguish H6695 cometh H935 upon you.
28 Then shall they call H7121 upon me, but I will not answer; H6030 they shall seek me early, H7836 but they shall not find H4672 me:
29 For that they hated H8130 knowledge, H1847 and did not choose H977 the fear H3374 of the LORD: H3068
30 They would H14 none of my counsel: H6098 they despised H5006 all my reproof. H8433
31 Therefore shall they eat H398 of the fruit H6529 of their own way, H1870 and be filled H7646 with their own devices. H4156
32 For the turning away H4878 of the simple H6612 shall slay H2026 them, and the prosperity H7962 of fools H3684 shall destroy H6 them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth H8085 unto me shall dwell H7931 safely, H983 and shall be quiet H7599 from fear H6343 of evil. H7451
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:
5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; `But' the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, Let us lay wait for blood; Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;
12 Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, And whole, as those that go down into the pit;
13 We shall find all precious substance; We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Thou shalt cast thy lot among us; We will all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain is the net spread In the sight of any bird:
18 And these lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places;
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse; At the entrance of the gates, In the city, she uttereth her words:
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh in `the day of' your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as a storm, And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah:
30 They would none of my counsel; They despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices.
32 For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil.
1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 For knowing wisdom and instruction, For understanding sayings of intelligence,
3 For receiving the instruction of wisdom, Righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,
4 For giving to simple ones -- prudence, To a youth -- knowledge and discretion.
5 (The wise doth hear and increaseth learning, And the intelligent doth obtain counsels.)
6 For understanding a proverb and its sweetness, Words of the wise and their acute sayings.
7 Fear of Jehovah `is' a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother,
9 For a graceful wreath `are' they to thy head, And chains to thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee be not willing.
11 If they say, `Come with us, we lay wait for blood, We watch secretly for the innocent without cause,
12 We swallow them as Sheol -- alive, And whole -- as those going down `to' the pit,
13 Every precious substance we find, We fill our houses `with' spoil,
14 Thy lot thou dost cast among us, One purse is -- to all of us.'
15 My son! go not in the way with them, Withhold thy foot from their path,
16 For their feet to evil do run, And they haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain is the net spread out before the eyes of any bird.
18 And they for their own blood lay wait, They watch secretly for their own lives.
19 So `are' the paths of every gainer of dishonest gain, The life of its owners it taketh.
20 Wisdom in an out-place crieth aloud, In broad places she giveth forth her voice,
21 At the head of the multitudes she calleth, In the openings of the gates, In the city her sayings she saith:
22 `Till when, ye simple, do ye love simplicity? And have scorners their scorning desired? And do fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn back at my reproof, lo, I pour forth to you my spirit, I make known my words with you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refuse, I stretched out my hand, and none is attending,
25 And ye slight all my counsel, And my reproof ye have not desired.
26 I also in your calamity do laugh, I deride when your fear cometh,
27 When your fear cometh as destruction, And your calamity as a hurricane doth come, When on you come adversity and distress.
28 Then they call me, and I do not answer, They seek me earnestly, and find me not.
29 Because that they have hated knowledge, And the fear of Jehovah have not chosen.
30 They have not consented to my counsel, They have despised all my reproof,
31 And they eat of the fruit of their way, And from their own counsels they are filled.
32 For the turning of the simple slayeth them, And the security of the foolish destroyeth them.
33 And whoso is hearkening to me dwelleth confidently, And `is' quiet from fear of evil!'
1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, righteousness and judgment, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 He that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels:
6 to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;
9 for they shall be a garland of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those that go down into the pit;
13 we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 cast in thy lot among us; we will all have one purse:
15 -- my son, walk not in the way with them, keep back thy foot from their path;
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain the net is spread in the sight of anything which hath wings.
18 And these lay wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the paths of every one that is greedy of gain: it taketh away the life of its possessors.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she raiseth her voice in the broadways;
21 she calleth in the chief [place] of concourse, in the entry of the gates; in the city she uttereth her words:
22 How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour forth my spirit unto you, I will make known to you my words.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded;
25 and ye have rejected all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh in your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 when your fear cometh as sudden destruction, and your calamity cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you:
28 -- then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah;
30 they would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof:
31 therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall cause them to perish.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be at rest from fear of evil.
1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:
5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
6 To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:
9 For they will be a garland to grace your head, And chains around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.
11 If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down into the pit.
13 We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.
14 You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse."
15 My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16 For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:
18 But these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;
26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
27 When calamity overtakes you like a storm, When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come on you.
28 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
29 Because they hated knowledge, And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.
30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.
32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm."
1 The wise sayings of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.
2 To have knowledge of wise teaching; to be clear about the words of reason:
3 To be trained in the ways of wisdom, in righteousness and judging truly and straight behaviour:
4 To make the simple-minded sharp, and to give the young man knowledge, and serious purpose:
5 (The wise man, hearing, will get greater learning, and the acts of the man of good sense will be wisely guided:)
6 To get the sense of wise sayings and secrets, and of the words of the wise and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the Lord is the start of knowledge: but the foolish have no use for wisdom and teaching.
8 My son, give ear to the training of your father, and do not give up the teaching of your mother:
9 For they will be a crown of grace for your head, and chain-ornaments about your neck.
10 My son, if sinners would take you out of the right way, do not go with them.
11 If they say, Come with us; let us make designs against the good, waiting secretly for the upright, without cause;
12 Let us overcome them living, like the underworld, and in their strength, as those who go down to death;
13 Goods of great price will be ours, our houses will be full of wealth;
14 Take your chance with us, and we will all have one money-bag:
15 My son, do not go with them; keep your feet from their ways:
16 For their feet are running after evil, and they are quick to take a man's life.
17 Truly, to no purpose is the net stretched out before the eyes of the bird:
18 And they are secretly waiting for their blood and making ready destruction for themselves.
19 Such is the fate of everyone who goes in search of profit; it takes away the life of its owners.
20 Wisdom is crying out in the street; her voice is loud in the open places;
21 Her words are sounding in the meeting-places, and in the doorways of the town:
22 How long, you simple ones, will foolish things be dear to you? and pride a delight to the haters of authority? how long will the foolish go on hating knowledge?
23 Be turned again by my sharp words: see, I will send the flow of my spirit on you, and make my words clear to you.
24 Because your ears were shut to my voice; no one gave attention to my out-stretched hand;
25 You were not controlled by my guiding, and would have nothing to do with my sharp words:
26 So in the day of your trouble I will be laughing; I will make sport of your fear;
27 When your fear comes on you like a storm, and your trouble like a rushing wind; when pain and sorrow come on you.
28 Then I will give no answer to their cries; searching for me early, they will not see me:
29 For they were haters of knowledge, and did not give their hearts to the fear of the Lord:
30 They had no desire for my teaching, and my words of protest were as nothing to them.
31 So the fruit of their way will be their food, and with the designs of their hearts they will be made full.
32 For the turning back of the simple from teaching will be the cause of their death, and the peace of the foolish will be their destruction.
33 But whoever gives ear to me will take his rest safely, living in peace without fear of evil.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 1
Commentary on Proverbs 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
Pr 1:1-33. 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.
1-4. (See Introduction, Part I).
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 Pr 1:2, and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite traits of the fool (Pr 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 (Pr 3:21; 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, 6. 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 Pr 1:2).
dark sayings—(Compare Ps 49:4; Joh 16:25; and see Introduction, Part I).
7. The fear of the Lord—the principle of true piety (compare Pr 2:5; 14:26, 27; Job 28:28; Ps 34:11; 111:10; Ac 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 Pr 6:20; Eph 6:2, 3).
9. On the figures of Pr 1:9, compare Ge 41:42; So 1:10; 4:9.
10-19. A solemn warning against temptation.
entice—literally, "open the way."
consent … not—Sin is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.
11-14. 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 (Nu 16:33; Ps 55:15). Abundant rewards of villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
15, 16. The society of the wicked (way or path) is dangerous. Avoid the beginnings of sin (Pr 4:14; Ps 1:1; 119:101).
17-19. 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 (1Ti 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Lu 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 Pr 8:1).
Wisdom—literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Pr 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 Pr 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 Pr 1:7, yet it is of the same meaning.
23. reproof—implying conviction deserving it (compare Joh 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; 88:9).
25. set at naught—rejected as of no value.
would none of—literally, "were not willing or inclined to it."
26, 27. 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 (Pr 1:26) compared to a whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress—(Ps 4:1; 44:11).
anguish—a state of inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28. Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail (Pr 8:17).
29, 30. The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.
31. fruit … way—result of conduct (Isa 3:10; Eze 11:21; Ro 6:21; Ga 6:7, 8).
be filled—even to repletion (Ps 123:4).
32. turning away—that is, from the call of Pr 1:23.
simple—as in Pr 1:22.
prosperity—quiet, implying indifference.
33. dwell safely—literally, "in confidence" (De 12:10).
be quiet—or at ease, in real prosperity.
from fear—without fear.