Proverbs 1

The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.

Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—

my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;

but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,

when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,

because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.

They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter introduces the book of Proverbs by establishing its purpose: to impart wisdom, moral discernment, and the fear of the Lord. It begins with the value of instruction and the foundational truth that true knowledge starts with reverence for God. The chapter contrasts the path of wisdom, which calls publicly and invites life, with the lure of sinners, who entice toward violence and greed but end in self-destruction. It sets the moral and theological frame for the entire wisdom collection.

Flow.

Opens with the stated aims of the proverbs: to teach wisdom, righteousness, and understanding to the young and simple, while calling the wise to grow further (vv. 1–6).
Declares the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, over against the folly of those who reject instruction (v. 7).
Warns against joining sinners in their violent, greedy schemes, using vivid imagery of ambush and entrapment that ultimately ensnares the perpetrators (vv. 8–19).
Concludes with wisdom personified calling publicly, pleading with the simple and foolish to turn and live, warning of judgment for rejection, and promising security for those who heed her (vv. 20–33).

Connections.
Following the superscription in verse 1, this opening chapter establishes the theological and ethical foundation upon which the rest of Proverbs builds. It introduces the twin themes of wisdom and folly that chapter 2 will explore in terms of pursuit and divine enablement, and it anticipates the personified wisdom of chapter 8. The call to heed parental teaching (vv. 8–9) and the danger of the "strange woman" in later chapters are mirrored here in the contrast between listening to instruction and following sinners. The personified wisdom’s warning here prepares the reader for the deeper portrait of her role in God’s order in chapter 8, while the consequences of rejecting wisdom resonate throughout the rest of the book.

What it teaches.
True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, which is the foundation of all genuine knowledge and moral understanding (WCF 1.6; HC LD 2). Rejecting divine instruction leads to self-destructive paths, as seen in the way of the greedy and violent, who ensnare themselves (). Wisdom is not silent but calls publicly, offering life and security to those who heed her, while judgment awaits those who persist in folly (WCF 15.3; Canons of Dort II.7). The parental instruction emphasized here reflects the covenant responsibility to pass on godly teaching (Belgic Confession, Art. 21), and the personification of wisdom points forward to the fuller revelation of Christ, the wisdom of God ().

Apply.
When tempted by short-term gain at the expense of justice, remember that such paths promise profit but lead to ruin, while walking with wisdom brings lasting security.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.