Woman Wisdom’s speech to the young men. See also Prv 1:20-32.
v.1-3 The father introduces Wisdom’s (also called Understanding) speech to his son. She cries out loudly on the path, crossroads, and city gate, will you listen?
v.4-11 Wisdom calls on the young men (and all mankind) to listen to her instruction. She wants them to learn prudence and sense. Wisdom speaks in righteousness and her instruction is to be preferred over gold, silver, and jewels.
v.12-21 Wisdom provides an autobiographical sketch in which she identifies character traits she is associated with. We learn she is prudent, has knowledge and discretion, she hates perverted speech, and she has sound wisdom and insight. To fear the Lord is to hate evil. We are told that those who seek her diligently find her (see Jas 1:5). She bestows (spiritual) wealth on those who find her.
v.22-31 Here Wisdom narrates her accomplishments. We learn that Wisdom was created before anything else (22-26) and that she was present during the rest of creation (27-31).
v.32-36 Now Wisdom has advice for the young men. Happy are those who head her message. Those who seek her find life and the favor of God. Those who do not injure themselves and find death.

If you want to know how the world works and how to navigate life, get to know Wisdom. Jesus is associated with Woman Wisdom in the NT in many passages. Therefore we find life through a relationship with Jesus, who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom.

Read Proverbs 8

More warning about adultery and the adulteress. See also Prv 5:1-23 and Prv 6:20-35.
v.1-5 The father calls his son to internalize his instructions (that follow in this chapter) and write them on the tablet of his heart. He is to call Wisdom his sister/friend so she will guard him from the adulteress and her flattery.
v.6-13 The father begins narrating a story about a young man who lacked sense. As the young man walks along he is suddenly propositioned by a woman dressed as a prostitute.
v.14-20 The father quotes the woman’s proposition to him. She has special linens on the bed perfumed with spices. Her husband is away on a business trip and will not be home until the full moon.
v.21-23 The young man gives in to the seduction. He follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter. The ox enters the slaughterhouse not knowing the violent end that awaits him.
v.24-27 The father warns his sons against repeating the folly of the young man. Stay away from her and her house because her house is the way to Sheol.

The teaching of Prv 5-7 is that the consequence of adultery is death. Don’t go there — it will ruin your life.

Read Proverbs 7

Warning against adultery.
v.20-22 The son is called upon to follow the commands of his parents in what follows. Bind them on your heart continually. This will bring benefits all the time (v.22).
v.23-24 The parents command will illuminate the path the son is to follow — stay away from the evil woman/adulteress.
v.25-28 Don’t fall for her eyelashes (beauty). There is no escaping the consequences and it may cost your life.
v.29-35 Adultery will not go unpunished — he who does it destroys himself. There will be no pity on him.

With punishment and shame so certain, one must be a fool to commit adultery. Follow the advice of the parents in this passage and keep far away from her. Guard your mind because that is where infidelity starts.

Read Proverbs 6:20-35

Teachings on dealing with other men. Specifically, avoid pledging for a loan, avoid sluggards (observe the ant), avoid the “worthless person,” and seven things the Lord hates.
v.1-5 Don’t (rashly) make a pledge for a stranger’s loan. If you do, go to great lengths to extricate yourself from the danger.
v.6-11 Study the ants behavior and avoid laziness. Adopt a hardworking lifestyle like the ant who gathers food during the harvest (i.e. plan ahead). The result of a lazy lifestyle is poverty.
v.12-15 Warning to avoid the way of a worthless person (their heart is bent on evil). Calamity will come on him suddenly for his wicked ways.
v.16-19 A numerical proverb describing seven things that are an abomination to the Lord. (1) Haughty eyes, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood, (4) a heart that devises wicked plans, (5) feet that make haste to run to evil, (6) a false witness who breathes out lies, and (7) one who sows discord among brothers.

Take Solomon’s advice and plan ahead for profit; then work hard like the ant. Avoid family squabbles and don’t take revenge.

Read Proverbs 6:1-19

A father’s discourse on keeping away from strange (forbidden/promiscuous) women and loving your wife. This is the first of many such passages in Proverbs (e.g. Prv 6:20-35, 7:1-27).
v.1-6 The father admonishes his son to pay attention to his wisdom. The strange woman may be appealing but she is headed for death and destruction.
v.7-14 The father continues, keep far from her (and her house):
- lest you give your honor to others
- lest you give your years to the merciless
- lest strangers take their fill of your strength
- lest your labors go to the house of a foreigner
- and at the end of your life you groan (why did I not listen to wisdom?)
v.15-23 Here the father encourages and blesses proper behavior with the son’s wife. He warns that God’s eyes are on his paths and that the wicked will die in their stupidity.

The best defense against falling prey to a strange woman (man) is a proper and satisfying relationship with your wife (husband). Remember that God knows all of your ways.

Read Proverbs 5

An admonition to stay the course.
v.20-22 The father instructs the son to pay attention to his words. Guard them in your heart for they are life for the one who finds them.
v.23 Above all, protect your heart (your core personality), for from it is life.
v.24 Don’t speak or listen to foolish speech (e.g. gossip, slander, or lies).
v.25-27 Keep focused on the straight path ahead. Don’t swerve to the left or right toward evil.

The son is to focus his attention to staying on the right path, that leads to life, and thereby avoiding the evil path.

Read Proverbs 4:20-27

The son is exhorted to stay on the paths of uprightness taught by his father.
v.10-12 The father has taught the son the way of wisdom. If he stays on that path his years of life will be lengthened.
v.13 The son is told to stay on the right path because wisdom is his life.
v.14-19 Don’t be tempted to go over to the ways of the wicked. The way of the wicked is deep darkness; but the way of the righteous is like daylight. (cf. Ps 1)

Wisdom is a lifelong endeavor of being diligent to stay on the right path. The reward being life itself. You must actively avoid the way of the wicked in order to stay on the straight path.

Read Proverbs 4:10-19

The father urges his sons to embrace the way of wisdom.
v.1-2 An exhortation for the son to pay attention to the wisdom teaching (insight, precepts, teaching, instruction) of his father.
v.3-4a An introduction to the words (v.4b-9) of the father’s father.
v.4b-9 Hold fast to my words (and commands); get wisdom and insight. Wisdom will honor and protect you if you embrace her.

The grandfather’s advice is that the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom and prize her highly. Wisdom is personified as a woman the son is to grow intimate with.

Read Proverbs 4:1-9

Wisdom motivated as a lifelong pursuit that is to be our way of life.
v.21-22 The father’s admonition to his son calling him to be characterized by sound wisdom and discretion. They are to be part of his way of life and are indeed the way to life.
v.23-26 The motivation for the admonition of v.21-22. You will be secure, not stumble, not be afraid, and your sleep will be sweet. Wisdom and it’s blessings are from the Lord.
v.27-31 Four proverbs (27-28,29,30,31) dealing with prohibitions in behavior toward others. Perhaps to be read as examples of behavior that illustrate the way of life specified in v.21-22.
- do not withhold good from your neighbor
- do not plan evil against your neighbor
- do not contend with a man for no reason
- do not choose the ways of a man of violence
v.32-35 Motivations for the proper behavior described in v.27-31. The Lord curses the wicked and blesses the righteous (and their households).

Our behavior has repercussions for ourselves and those around us. This section motivates proper behavior and the seeking of wisdom.

Read Proverbs 3:21-35

The blessings on those who find Wisdom.
v.13 A beatitude stating that those who find wisdom are happy.
v.14-15 The gain from wisdom is more than the gain from silver, gold, or pearls. See Mt 6:19-25.
v.16-18 Wisdom (personified) holds long life in her right hand and wealth and honor in her left hand. Her path (way of life) is pleasant and full of peace. She is a tree of life to those who hold her fast.
v.19-20 Here the poem associates Wisdom with creation. Earth and heaven were created by God’s wisdom.

This poem provides the reader with further motivation to seek wisdom. King Solomon chose wisdom over material riches; but, as a result, was greatly blessed materially (1 Kgs 3). The association of wisdom with the tree of life implies eternal life is a reward for finding wisdom.

Read Proverbs 3:13-20