Listen to God's wisdom

Proverbs 1:1–4 NLT

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

Proverbs 1:7–10 NLT

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!

Proverbs 1:20–22 NLT

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 1:32–33 NLT

For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Introduction

Our English word “proverb” is made up of two Latin words: pro (instead of) and verba (words). So, a proverb is a sentence that is given “instead of many words”; it is a short statement that summarizes a wise principle.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Introduction

In Proverbs, wisdom is actually pictured as a lovely woman who calls people to follow her into a life of blessing and success

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Introduction

Folly is pictured as a wicked woman who tempts the foolish and leads them to hell.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Introduction

Of course, Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God to the believer

(1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3).

1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

Colossians 2:3 NLT

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The New American Commentary: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs 2. Prologue (1:2–7)

Verse 7 ties the fundamental principle of biblical wisdom (“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”) to recognition that many will reject wisdom and God (“fools despise wisdom”).

The New American Commentary: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (1) First Exhortation (1:8–19)

Proverbs does not begin its instruction with lofty or abstract analysis but with a simple and straightforward appeal for the reader to reject association with criminals.

The New American Commentary: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (1) First Exhortation (1:8–19)

Apparently in ancient Israel, no less than in the modern world, the comradeship, easy money, and feeling of empowerment offered by gangs was a strong temptation to the young man who felt overwhelmed by the difficulties of the life he confronted every day.