New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 1
1
These are the proverbs of Solomon. He was the son of David and the king of Israel.
Reference
Kingdom
1 Kings 2:12
Ecclesiastes 1:1
1 Chronicles 28:5
Proverbs 25:1
Parallel theme
Proverbs 10:1
Ecclesiastes 12:9
References Israel
1 Chronicles 22:9
3
They provide you with training and help you live wisely. They lead to what is right and honest and fair.
Reference
4
They give understanding to childish people. They give knowledge and good sense to those who are young.
Reference
5
Let wise people listen and add to what they have learned. Let those who understand what is right get guidance.
Reference
6
What I'm teaching also helps you understand proverbs and stories. It helps you understand the sayings and riddles of those who are wise.
Reference
Darkness
Psalm 78:2
Psalm 49:4
Numbers 12:8
Parallel theme
Mark 4:11
Hebrews 5:14
Mark 4:34
Word
2 Peter 3:16
Ecclesiastes 12:11
7
If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. But foolish people hate wisdom and training.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Proverbs 18:2
Proverbs 1:22
Romans 1:28
Proverbs 15:5
References Lord
Job 28:28
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 15:33
9
What they teach you will be like a beautiful crown on your head. It will be like a chain to decorate your neck.
Reference
10
My son, if sinners tempt you, don't give in to them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:11
Proverbs 16:29
Proverbs 13:20
Romans 16:18
Deuteronomy 13:8
Psalm 50:18
Sin
Psalm 1:1
11
They might say, "Come along with us. Let's hide and wait to spill someone's blood. Let's catch some harmless people in our trap.
Reference
12
Let's swallow them alive, as the grave does. Let's swallow them whole, like those who go down into the pit.
Reference
13
We'll get all kinds of valuable things. We'll fill our houses with what we steal.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 12:15
14
Come and join our gang. We'll share everything we have."
18
Those who hide and wait will spill their own blood. They will be caught in their own trap.
Reference
19
That's what happens to everyone who goes after money in the wrong way. That kind of money takes away the lives of those who get it.
Reference
21
At the noisy street corners she cries out. Here is what she says near the gates of the city.
Reference
22
"How long will you childish people love your childish ways? How long will you rude people enjoy making fun of God and others? How long will you foolish people hate knowledge?
Reference
Light
John 3:20
Parallel theme
Proverbs 1:29
Proverbs 5:12
Psalm 1:1
Revelation 22:17
Proverbs 21:11
2 Peter 3:3
Matthew 9:13
Luke 19:42
23
Suppose you had paid attention to my warning. Then I would have poured out my heart to you. I would have told you what I was thinking.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 33:11
Acts 3:19
Acts 26:20
Proverbs 12:1
Isaiah 45:8
Psalm 145:1
Spirit
Joel 2:28
Isaiah 32:15
Zechariah 12:10
Luke 11:13
24
But you turned away from me when I called out to you. None of you paid attention when I reached out my hand.
Reference
26
So I will laugh at you when you are in danger. I will make fun of you when hard times come.
Reference
27
I will laugh when hard times hit you like a storm. I will laugh when danger comes your way like a windstorm. I will make fun of you when suffering and trouble come.
Reference
28
"Then you will call to me. But I won't answer. You will look for me. But you won't find me.
Reference
31
So you will eat the fruit of the way you have lived. You will choke on the fruit of what you have planned.
Reference
32
"Childish people go down the wrong path. They will die. Foolish people are satisfied with the way they live. They will be destroyed.
Reference
Chapter Summary
Proverbs 1 serves as the introduction and foundation for the entire Book of Proverbs. Before the book begins giving individual sayings about money, relationships, work, speech, family, friendship, discipline, and countless other areas of life, this chapter explains what wisdom is and why people need it.
The chapter begins by explaining that the proverbs are designed to teach wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, and fairness. Wisdom is therefore much more than being intelligent. A person can know many facts and still make foolish decisions. Biblical wisdom is the ability to understand what is right and then live according to that understanding.
The central principle appears in verse 7: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. In Proverbs, "fear" means reverence, respect, humility, and recognition of God's authority. A person cannot become truly wise while deliberately ignoring God.
The chapter then presents the relationship between parents and children. The father and mother instruct their child, showing that wisdom is meant to be passed from one generation to another. The young person is encouraged to listen because good instruction can protect him from serious mistakes.
A major warning follows. The young person is told not to join people who invite him into violence, robbery, greed, and criminal behavior. The temptation is presented realistically. The criminals promise friendship, money, excitement, and shared wealth. Their invitation sounds attractive, but their path leads toward destruction.
The father therefore gives an important principle: do not follow people simply because they offer belonging or financial rewards. The people around us can strongly influence our choices. Wisdom requires choosing companions carefully and being willing to walk away from destructive influences.
The chapter explains that the criminals eventually become trapped by their own actions. They intend to destroy others, but their greed and violence ultimately put themselves in danger. This introduces one of Proverbs' most important themes: actions have consequences.
The second major section of the chapter introduces Wisdom as a person. Wisdom is pictured as a woman standing in public places and calling out to everyone. She is not hidden. She is available to anyone willing to listen.
Wisdom asks how long people will continue rejecting her instruction. She calls the simple, mockers, and fools to change their ways. This shows that wisdom is not merely information that someone possesses. It requires a person's willingness to listen, accept correction, and change.
But some people refuse.
They ignore Wisdom's advice and reject correction even though they have been warned. Proverbs then describes what happens when disaster finally comes. The people who rejected wisdom call for help, but they have already chosen their path.
The point is not that God enjoys watching people suffer. Rather, the chapter teaches that repeatedly rejecting wise instruction eventually produces consequences that cannot easily be undone.
The final verses explain that these people rejected knowledge and refused to fear the LORD. Their problem is therefore deeper than making one bad decision. They have developed a pattern of refusing correction.
The chapter ends on a completely different note. Those who listen to Wisdom will live more securely and will not need to live in constant fear of sudden destruction.
This does not mean that wise people will never experience suffering, accidents, injustice, or hardship. Proverbs is teaching about the general direction and consequences of a person's choices. Wisdom helps people avoid many destructive paths and provides a stable foundation for life.
The overall progression of Proverbs 1 is:
purpose of wisdom ? fear of the LORD ? parental instruction ? warning about bad companions ? consequences of greed and violence ? Wisdom's public invitation ? rejection of correction ? consequences ? promise of security for those who listen.
The chapter establishes several major principles that will appear repeatedly throughout Proverbs:
- True wisdom begins with reverence for God.
- Wise people are willing to learn and accept correction.
- Parents have an important responsibility to teach their children.
- - Friends and companions can strongly influence behavior.
- Greed can make destructive choices appear attractive.
- Actions eventually produce consequences.
- Wisdom is available, but people must choose to listen.
I- gnoring repeated warnings can lead to serious consequences.
Humility and teachability are characteristics of wisdom.
The central message of Proverbs 1 is therefore a choice between two paths. One path listens to God, accepts instruction, learns from correction, chooses good companions, and develops sound judgment. The other path rejects wisdom, follows harmful influences, pursues selfish desires, and eventually suffers the consequences.
The chapter begins by explaining why wisdom is necessary and ends by showing what happens when a person chooses to listen to it.
In simple terms, Proverbs 1 teaches:
Listen before you learn the hard way. Respect God, accept correction, choose your companions carefully, and do not allow greed or peer pressure to lead you onto a destructive path. Those who listen to wisdom build their lives on a much safer foundation.
The chapter begins by explaining that the proverbs are designed to teach wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, and fairness. Wisdom is therefore much more than being intelligent. A person can know many facts and still make foolish decisions. Biblical wisdom is the ability to understand what is right and then live according to that understanding.
The central principle appears in verse 7: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. In Proverbs, "fear" means reverence, respect, humility, and recognition of God's authority. A person cannot become truly wise while deliberately ignoring God.
The chapter then presents the relationship between parents and children. The father and mother instruct their child, showing that wisdom is meant to be passed from one generation to another. The young person is encouraged to listen because good instruction can protect him from serious mistakes.
A major warning follows. The young person is told not to join people who invite him into violence, robbery, greed, and criminal behavior. The temptation is presented realistically. The criminals promise friendship, money, excitement, and shared wealth. Their invitation sounds attractive, but their path leads toward destruction.
The father therefore gives an important principle: do not follow people simply because they offer belonging or financial rewards. The people around us can strongly influence our choices. Wisdom requires choosing companions carefully and being willing to walk away from destructive influences.
The chapter explains that the criminals eventually become trapped by their own actions. They intend to destroy others, but their greed and violence ultimately put themselves in danger. This introduces one of Proverbs' most important themes: actions have consequences.
The second major section of the chapter introduces Wisdom as a person. Wisdom is pictured as a woman standing in public places and calling out to everyone. She is not hidden. She is available to anyone willing to listen.
Wisdom asks how long people will continue rejecting her instruction. She calls the simple, mockers, and fools to change their ways. This shows that wisdom is not merely information that someone possesses. It requires a person's willingness to listen, accept correction, and change.
But some people refuse.
They ignore Wisdom's advice and reject correction even though they have been warned. Proverbs then describes what happens when disaster finally comes. The people who rejected wisdom call for help, but they have already chosen their path.
The point is not that God enjoys watching people suffer. Rather, the chapter teaches that repeatedly rejecting wise instruction eventually produces consequences that cannot easily be undone.
The final verses explain that these people rejected knowledge and refused to fear the LORD. Their problem is therefore deeper than making one bad decision. They have developed a pattern of refusing correction.
The chapter ends on a completely different note. Those who listen to Wisdom will live more securely and will not need to live in constant fear of sudden destruction.
This does not mean that wise people will never experience suffering, accidents, injustice, or hardship. Proverbs is teaching about the general direction and consequences of a person's choices. Wisdom helps people avoid many destructive paths and provides a stable foundation for life.
The overall progression of Proverbs 1 is:
purpose of wisdom ? fear of the LORD ? parental instruction ? warning about bad companions ? consequences of greed and violence ? Wisdom's public invitation ? rejection of correction ? consequences ? promise of security for those who listen.
The chapter establishes several major principles that will appear repeatedly throughout Proverbs:
- True wisdom begins with reverence for God.
- Wise people are willing to learn and accept correction.
- Parents have an important responsibility to teach their children.
- - Friends and companions can strongly influence behavior.
- Greed can make destructive choices appear attractive.
- Actions eventually produce consequences.
- Wisdom is available, but people must choose to listen.
I- gnoring repeated warnings can lead to serious consequences.
Humility and teachability are characteristics of wisdom.
The central message of Proverbs 1 is therefore a choice between two paths. One path listens to God, accepts instruction, learns from correction, chooses good companions, and develops sound judgment. The other path rejects wisdom, follows harmful influences, pursues selfish desires, and eventually suffers the consequences.
The chapter begins by explaining why wisdom is necessary and ends by showing what happens when a person chooses to listen to it.
In simple terms, Proverbs 1 teaches:
Listen before you learn the hard way. Respect God, accept correction, choose your companions carefully, and do not allow greed or peer pressure to lead you onto a destructive path. Those who listen to wisdom build their lives on a much safer foundation.