Proverbs Chapter 1 (WEB)

Read Proverbs chapter 1 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.

Proverbs 1 is part of “Prologue: The Purpose and Foundation of Wisdom” (1:1–7) in the outline of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1 summary

Those who read David's psalms, especially those towards the latter end, would be tempted to think that religion is all rapture and consists in nothing but the ecstasies and transports of devotion; and doubtless there is a time for them, and if there be a heaven upon earth it is in them: but, while we are on earth, we cannot be wholly taken up with them; we have a life to live in the flesh, must have a conversation in the world, and into that we must now be taught to carry our religion, which is a rational thing, and very serviceable to the government of human life, and tends as much to make us discreet as to make us devout, to make the face shine before men, in a prudent, honest, useful conversation, as to make the heart burn towards God in holy and pious affections. In this chapter we have, I. The title of the book, showing the general scope and design of it (Pro 1:1-6). II. The first principle of it recommended to our serious consideration (Pro 1:7-9). III. A necessary caution against bad company (Pro 1:10-19). IV. A faithful and lively representation of wisdom's reasonings with the children of men, and the certain ruin of those who turn a deaf ear to those reasonings (Pro 1:20-33).

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2. 2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3. 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4. 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
5. 5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
6. 6 to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
7. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8. 8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
9. 9 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
10. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
11. 11 If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
12. 12 Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
13. 13 We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
14. 14 You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
15. 15 my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16. 16 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17. 17 For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
18. 18 but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20. 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21. 21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22. 22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
23. 23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24. 24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25. 25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
26. 26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
27. 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
28. 28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
29. 29 because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.
30. 30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31. 31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
32. 32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33. 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”