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\ms1 Purpose and Theme
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\v 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
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\v 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
\q2 for understanding words of insight;
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\v 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
\q2 doing what is right and just and fair;
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\v 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,\f + \fr 1:4 \ft The Hebrew word rendered \fq simple \ft in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.\f*
\q2 knowledge and discretion to the young—
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\v 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
\q2 and let the discerning get guidance—
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\v 6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
\q2 the sayings and riddles of the wise.\f + \fr 1:6 \ft Or \fqa understanding \fqa a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles\f*
\b
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\v 7 The fear of the \nd Lord\nd* is the beginning of knowledge,
\q2 but fools\f + \fr 1:7 \ft The Hebrew words rendered \fq fool \ft in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.\f* despise wisdom and instruction.
- Who is the author of the proverbs mentioned in verse 1?
- What are proverbs intended to help people gain according to verse 2?
- In verse 3, what kind of behavior are the instructions meant to encourage?
- Who are the instructions particularly aimed at in verse 4?
- Verse 5 talks about two groups of people. Who are they, and what should they do?
- What is the purpose of understanding proverbs and parables as stated in verse 6?
- According to verse 7, what is the beginning of knowledge?
- How does verse 7 describe fools in the context of wisdom and instruction?
- How do the proverbs of Solomon aim to shape a person’s behavior and mindset?
- In your own words, what does it mean to have the "fear of the Lord" as the beginning of knowledge?
- How can this passage guide your approach to gaining wisdom and insight in your own life?
\ms1 Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
\s1 Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
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\v 8 Listen, my son, to your fatherʼs instruction
\q2 and do not forsake your motherʼs teaching.
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\v 9 They are a garland to grace your head
\q2 and a chain to adorn your neck.
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\v 10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
\q2 do not give in to them.
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\v 11 If they say, “Come along with us;
\q2 letʼs lie in wait for innocent blood,
\q2 letʼs ambush some harmless soul;
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\v 12 letʼs swallow them alive, like the grave,
\q2 and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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\v 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
\q2 and fill our houses with plunder;
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\v 14 cast lots with us;
\q2 we will all share the loot”—
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\v 15 my son, do not go along with them,
\q2 do not set foot on their paths;
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\v 16 for their feet rush into evil,
\q2 they are swift to shed blood.
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\v 17 How useless to spread a net
\q2 where every bird can see it!
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\v 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
\q2 they ambush only themselves!
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\v 19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
\q2 it takes away the life of those who get it.
- What do verses 8 and 9 advise about parental instruction?
- How are a father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching described metaphorically in verse 9?
- What does verse 10 warn against?
- What do sinful men suggest in verses 11 and 12?
- What are the promises made by these sinful men in verses 13 and 14?
- What advice is given in verses 15 and 16 about following the path of these sinful men?
- Why is it useless to "spread a net where every bird can see it," according to verse 17?
- What is the ultimate consequence for those who follow the path of ill-gotten gain as described in verses 18 and 19?
- How does this passage highlight the importance of listening to wisdom and teachings from one’s parents?
- In what ways can you apply the warning about not joining sinful men in your life?
- Reflect on a time when you had to make a choice between following good advice and giving in to bad influences. What did you learn from that experience?
\s1 Wisdomʼs Rebuke
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\v 20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
\q2 she raises her voice in the public square;
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\v 21 on top of the wall\f + \fr 1:21 \ft Septuagint; Hebrew \fqa / at noisy street corners\f* she cries out,
\q2 at the city gate she makes her speech:
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\v 22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
\q2 How long will mockers delight in mockery
\q2 and fools hate knowledge?
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\v 23 Repent at my rebuke!
\q2 Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
\q2 I will make known to you my teachings.
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\v 24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
\q2 and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
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\v 25 since you disregard all my advice
\q2 and do not accept my rebuke,
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\v 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
\q2 I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
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\v 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
\q2 when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
\q2 when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
\b
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\v 28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
\q2 they will look for me but will not find me,
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\v 29 since they hated knowledge
\q2 and did not choose to fear the \nd Lord\nd*.
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\v 30 Since they would not accept my advice
\q2 and spurned my rebuke,
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\v 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
\q2 and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
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\v 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
\q2 and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
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\v 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
\q2 and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
- How is wisdom described in verses 20-21? Where is she raising her voice?
- To whom is wisdom speaking in verse 22, and what is she questioning them about?
- What offer does wisdom make in verse 23?
- What does wisdom say about those who refuse to listen in verses 24-25?
- How does wisdom respond when disaster strikes those who ignored her in verses 26-27?
- What is the consequence for not choosing to fear the Lord as described in verse 29?
- How are the fruits of one's ways depicted in verse 31?
- What ultimately destroys the simple and the fools according to verses 32-33?
- What promise is made to those who listen to wisdom in verse 33?
- How does the personification of wisdom as a public speaker impact your understanding of her importance?
- What are the key reasons wisdom provides for listening to her advice?
- Reflect on a time when ignoring wise advice led to negative consequences in your life or someone you know. How can this passage guide future decisions to seek and heed wisdom?
Reflecting on the entire chapter, consider:
- How does the structure of the chapter, moving from a broad purpose to warnings and rebukes, help convey its message?
- In what ways can the themes of seeking wisdom and avoiding the pitfalls of folly influence your daily life and choices?