Proverbs 1 (KJV)
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs Chapter 1 offers a wealth of wise advice and serves as an introduction to the themes and purpose of the entire Book of Proverbs. Here are some key pieces of wise advice found in this chapter:
Value of Wisdom and Instruction: Verses 2-7 highlight the importance of gaining wisdom, instruction, understanding, and insight. It emphasizes learning from the wise and listening to guidance, and famously states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
Avoid Bad Company: Verses 10-19 warn against joining those who engage in wicked deeds. It advises not to follow those who are eager to do wrong or are quick to violence, illustrating how peer pressure can lead to destructive paths.
Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom: Verses 20-33 personify wisdom as a woman who calls out in public spaces, criticizing the simple and foolish for ignoring her advice. It warns that turning away from wisdom leads to disaster and distress, but listening to her brings security and peace.
Call to Embrace Wisdom: Throughout the chapter, there's a strong call to embrace wisdom and shun ignorance. It highlights the protective power of wisdom and portrays its neglect as leading to ruin.
This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, underlining the importance of seeking and adhering to wisdom in all aspects of life
Prayer :
Heavenly Father,
We come before You seeking the wisdom that Solomon speaks of in Proverbs. Lord, grant us the insight to understand Your teachings and the discernment to apply them in our daily lives. Help us to embrace the fear of the Lord as the foundation of all knowledge, so that we may not be led astray by the temptations that surround us.
Protect us, O God, from the influence of those who seek harm or who delight in wrongdoing. Strengthen our hearts to resist the enticements that lead to evil, and fortify our will to walk in the paths of righteousness. May we be alert to the snares set by the wicked and wise to avoid them.
Teach us, Lord, to value Your instruction above all earthly treasures. Let Your words be ornaments of grace upon us, guiding our steps and enlightening our decisions. As we navigate the complexities of this world, provide us the courage to shun simplicity and scorn, and instead, seek out the profound peace that comes from following You.
We ask that Your voice, which cries out in the streets and calls to us in the city gates, be clear and resonant in our ears. Do not let us ignore Your call or reject Your guidance. In moments of arrogance or ignorance, remind us of Your enduring love and patience.
In all things, Father, let us seek the wisdom that leads to life and peace, avoiding the fleeting pleasures that bring ruin. We pray for the strength to heed Your reproof and the humility to learn from it, so that we might dwell safely, free from the fear of evil.
In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
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