These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, who was king of Israel.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse introduces us to Solomon, David's son and Israel's king, as the author of these wise sayings.
To gain wisdom and learn from teaching; to understand words that give insight;
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse explains that the purpose of Proverbs is to help people become wise, learn from instruction, and understand deep truths.
To receive teaching about wisdom, what's right and fair, good judgment, and treating everyone equally;
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse explains that the purpose of Proverbs is to help people learn wisdom and how to live with fairness and good judgment toward others.
To give wisdom to those who are inexperienced, and to give young people knowledge and good judgment.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse explains that these proverbs are meant to teach wisdom to inexperienced people and help young people learn knowledge and make good decisions.
A wise person will listen and keep learning more; someone with understanding will gain wise advice.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse teaches that truly wise people never stop learning - they listen well and seek good counsel from others.
To understand proverbs and their meanings; to grasp the words of wise people and their deep, mysterious sayings.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse explains that wisdom literature helps us understand not just simple truths, but also the deeper, more complex insights that wise people share.
Having deep respect and reverence for the LORD is where true knowledge begins, but foolish people reject wisdom and refuse to be taught.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse teaches that genuine wisdom and knowledge start with having proper reverence for God, while foolish people reject both wisdom and learning.
My child, listen to your father's teaching, and don't ignore your mother's guidance.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is emphasizing that children should pay attention to and follow the wisdom their parents teach them.
For they will be like a beautiful crown on your head and like lovely jewelry around your neck.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse is saying that wisdom and good instruction will make you beautiful and honored, like wearing a crown or precious jewelry.
My child, if people who do wrong try to persuade you to join them, don't give in.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is warning us not to be swayed when people try to tempt us into doing things we know are wrong.
If they say, 'Come with us, let's set up an ambush to shed blood, let's hide and attack innocent people for no reason,'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is describing how evil people try to recruit others into violence against innocent victims.
Let us swallow them alive like the grave does, and completely destroy them like those who fall into the pit of death.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse shows wicked people plotting to completely destroy innocent victims, comparing their evil intentions to death itself.
We'll find all kinds of valuable things, and we'll fill our houses with stolen treasure:
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse shows the tempting promises that wrongdoers make to lure others into their schemes with talk of easy wealth.
Join us and share in what we take; we'll all split the money together.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is showing how criminals try to recruit others by promising they'll share their stolen wealth equally.
My son, don't go along with them or follow in their footsteps; keep yourself away from the path they're taking.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is warning against joining people who are headed down a destructive path and urging wisdom in choosing companions.
For their feet run toward evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse is describing how wicked people eagerly rush toward doing harmful and violent things.
It's pointless to set a trap when the bird can clearly see it being set up.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is saying that obvious traps don't work because everyone can see them coming.
And they set traps for their own blood; they secretly wait to destroy their own lives.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse is warning that those who plot evil against others are actually setting themselves up for destruction.
This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for money and wealth, it destroys the lives of those who pursue it.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is warning that greed for money ultimately destroys the greedy person's own life.
Wisdom calls out in public; she raises her voice in the streets:
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is saying that wisdom isn't hidden away, it's actively calling out to people in everyday, public places where everyone can hear it.
She calls out in the busiest public places, at the city gates where people gather: throughout the city she speaks her message, saying,
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse describes Wisdom as a woman publicly calling out her message in the most crowded, visible places where everyone can hear her.
How long will you naive people love being naive? How long will mockers enjoy their mocking, and fools hate learning?
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is asking how long people will choose to remain foolish, mock wisdom, and reject learning instead of seeking knowledge and understanding.
Turn around when I correct you: look, I will pour out my spirit on you, and I will make my words known to you.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: God is saying that when He corrects us and we respond by turning toward Him, He will generously share His spirit and wisdom with us.
Because I have called out to you, and you refused to listen; I have reached out my hand to help you, and no one paid attention;
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse shows Wisdom speaking like a person who has repeatedly tried to help and guide people, but they have ignored her calls and rejected her outstretched hand.
But you have completely ignored all my advice and wanted nothing to do with my correction.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: The writer is describing people who have rejected wise guidance and refused to listen when corrected.
I will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock you when terror comes upon you.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse shows Wisdom personified saying she will respond with laughter and mockery when those who rejected her face the consequences of their foolish choices.
When terror strikes you like a devastating storm, and disaster sweeps over you like a tornado; when trouble and deep worry overwhelm you.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse describes the overwhelming fear and disaster that can suddenly strike when we ignore wisdom and God's guidance.
Then they will cry out to me, but I won't answer; they will look for me desperately, but they won't find me.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse warns that there comes a point when people who have repeatedly rejected wisdom will call for help, but it will be too late to receive an answer.
Because they hated knowledge and chose not to respect and revere the LORD:
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse explains that people bring trouble on themselves when they reject wisdom and refuse to honor God.
They refused to listen to my advice and rejected all my correction.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse describes people who completely reject wise guidance and refuse to be corrected when they're wrong.
Therefore, they will have to live with the consequences of their choices and be overwhelmed by the results of their own schemes.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse is saying that people who reject wisdom will eventually face the painful consequences of their own poor decisions.
Because when simple people turn away from wisdom, it will kill them, and when foolish people become successful, it will destroy them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse warns that rejecting wisdom leads to destruction, and that success without wisdom can actually be dangerous.
But whoever listens to me will live safely and will be at peace, without fear of harm.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE: This verse promises that those who listen to wisdom will live with security and peace, free from the fear of danger.