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The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,
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for knowing wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
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for receiving instruction in prudent conduct,
and righteousness, justice, and uprightness,
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to give prudence to the simple,
and knowledge and discretion to the young —
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let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and let the one who has understanding gain guidance —
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to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching,
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for they are a graceful garland for your head,
and a chain for your neck.
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My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
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If they say, “Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without cause;
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let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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we shall find all kinds of precious goods;
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
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cast in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse.”
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My son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their path,
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for their feet run to evil,
and they hurry to shed blood.
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For in vain is the net spread
in the sight of any bird,
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but they lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush their own lives.
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Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
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Wisdom cries aloud in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice,
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at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:
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“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
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Turn at my reproof;
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
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Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
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you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
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I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror comes upon you,
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when terror comes upon you like a storm,
and calamity sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
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At that time they will call to me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently,
but they will not find me.
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Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
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they would not accept my counsel,
but rejected all my reproof,
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therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and be filled with their own devices.
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For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
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But whoever listens to me will dwell secure,
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
📘🧠🛡️ Summary of Proverbs 1 – The Beginning of Wisdom and Warning against the Wicked
Proverbs 1 opens this book of wisdom by stating the main purpose of Proverbs: to give understanding, discipline, and wisdom for life. Its author, Solomon, immediately emphasizes that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” On the other hand, this chapter strongly warns against the temptation of sinners, and closes with a picture of wisdom crying out in the streets, yet rejected by the foolish — until the time comes when it is too late to repent.
📌 1. The Purpose of Proverbs and True Wisdom (verses 1–7)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- Purpose of Proverbs:
– To train in wisdom and virtue
– To give understanding to the young
– To give insight to the wise - Main point: The fear of the Lord is the foundation of all wisdom
🎯 True wisdom is not merely being smart, but is rooted in reverence and submission to God.
📌 2. A Parent’s Warning (verses 8–9)
“My son, hear your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
- The child is called to listen to parental counsel
- Wise counsel is a crown for the head and a necklace for the neck
🎯 Respect for parents is part of a wise life.
📌 3. The Temptation of Sinners (verses 10–19)
“My son, if sinners seek to entice you, do not consent!”
- The wicked offer:
– Quick riches
– Violence
– Murder for gain - But their path ends in death and a snare for themselves
🎯 Quick gain without morality is a road to ruin.
📌 4. Wisdom Cries Out and Is Rejected (verses 20–33)
“Wisdom cries out in the street… but you reject all my counsel…”
- Wisdom is pictured as a woman crying out in public places
- Yet many people reject and ignore her cry
- The result:
– When disaster comes, they panic, but it is too late
– The Lord does not answer their cry
– Only those who hear wisdom will dwell secure and at peace
🎯 Wisdom must be received while there is still opportunity, not after disaster has already come.
📖 Main Teaching
- Wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord, not merely from knowledge
- Parents’ counsel is an important part of the wise path
- Do not be tempted by the lure of quick riches that are full of sin
- Wisdom is crying out now — respond before regret comes
- Those who receive wisdom will live securely and not fear harm
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…”
→ Wisdom is not automatic — it must be asked for and sought in the Lord.
“Everyone who hears my words and does them… like a wise man…”
→ Wisdom is not only theory, but is shown through real actions.
“A person’s life does not depend on his wealth…”
→ A warning against the trap of the wicked and the love of money is in line with Proverbs 1.
“The Holy Scriptures give wisdom that leads to salvation…”
→ The highest wisdom is not only for life in this world, but for eternal salvation.
🎯 Proverbs 1 challenges us to be teachable, submissive to the Lord, and build life with heavenly wisdom.
🕊️ “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” – Proverbs 1:7
🕊️ “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” – Proverbs 1:10
🕊️ “Wisdom cries out in the street…” – Proverbs 1:20
🕊️ “But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety…” – Proverbs 1:33
