Proverbs 1 with Commentary

The italicized words are my commentary on God’s Holy Words.

1These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

Solomon, you know the really smart guy.

2Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

Here’s the secret to being smart like him.

3Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

Here’s why you want to be smart like Solomon.

4These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

Knowledge and discernment are good, right? You want that, right?

5Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Keep getting smart by reading Proverbs.

7Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Men think they are smart by what they know. Solomon disagrees.

8My child,a listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

Smart people take advice from their parents. I listened to my mother’s advice until she passed from this life.

9What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.

People will notice if you do follow Mom and Dad’s advice.

10My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!

That may sound severe, but it’s best!

11They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

Gangs do this these days. It’s tragic.

12Let’s swallow them alive, like the graveb; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

Sounds like today.

13Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

Also sounds like today with all the looting that has gone on.

14Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.”

Yep. Looters back then too.

15My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.

Just like Mom would say!

16They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder.

Mafia, gangs, militants all fit this description.

17If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.

Yes, he is saying birds are smarter than us sometimes.

18But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.

Yeah, people do set themselves up!

19Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.

Chasing after money is not something people on their death beds wished they had done more of!

Loving people is the good stuff.

20Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.

I know it’s shouted at me and I ignored it.

21She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate:

22“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?

23Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.

24“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

25You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

Lord, I receive your rebukes with gladness.

26So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

28“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

29For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lamb.

30They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.

Getting corrected is a good thing. A parent corrects the child they love.

31Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.

Done that before.

32For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

Note to self: always run to Jesus.

33But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Give me ears to hear Lord.