Saturday, November 2, 2019

Proverbs chs. 2-4 NLT


Outline
  • Prologue: Purpose and Theme (1:1-7)
  • The Superiority of the Way of Wisdom (1:8;9:18)
    • Appeals and Warnings Confronting Youth (1:8-33)
1.    Enticements to secure happiness by violence (1:8-19)
2.    Warnings against rejecting wisdom (1:20-33)
    • Commendation of Wisdom (chs. 2-4)
1.    Benefits of accepting wisdom's instructions (ch. 2)
2.    Wisdom bestows well-being (3:1-20)
3.    Wisdom's instructions and benefits (3:21-35)
4.    Challenge to hold on to wisdom (ch. 4)
    • Warnings against Folly (chs. 5-7)
1.    Warning against adultery (ch. 5)
2.    Warning against perverse ways (6:1-19)
3.    Cost of committing adultery (6:20-35)
4.    Warning against the enticements of an adulteress (ch. 7)
    • Appeals Addressed to Youth (chs. 8-9)
1.    Wisdom's appeal (ch. 8)
2.    Invitations of wisdom and folly (ch. 9)
  • The Main Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (10:1;22:16)
  • The Thirty Sayings of the Wise (22:17;24:22)
  • Additional Sayings of the Wise (24:23-34)
  • Hezekiah's Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (chs. 25-29)
  • The Sayings of Agur (ch. 30)
  • The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1-9)
  • Epilogue: The Ideal Wife (31:10-31)
The Wise Man According to Proverbs: An Outline
  • His Character
    • He Is Teachable, Not Intractable
1.    He receives and loves instruction (18:15;19:20)
2.    He grows in wisdom (1:5;9:9;10:14)
    • He Is Righteous, Not Wicked
1.    He fears the Lord (1:7; 14:16; see below under relationship to the Lord)
2.    He hates what is false (13:5)
3.    He shuns evil (3:7;14:16;16:6)
4.    He does what is righteous (2:20)
5.    He speaks the truth (22:21)
    • He Is Humble, Not Proud (15:33)
    • He Is Self-controlled, Not Rash
1.    His temperament
1.    He is self-controlled (29:11)
2.    He has a calm spirit (17:27)
3.    He is slow to become angry (29:8,11)
2.    2. His actions
1.    He is cautious, not hasty (19:2)
2.    He thinks before he acts (13:16; 14:8)
3.    He thinks before he speaks (12:23; 15:2)
    • He Is Forgiving, Not Vindictive
1.    He is patient (19:11)
2.    He is concerned about goodwill/peace (14:9)
3.    He forgives those who wrong him (10:12;17:9)
4.    He is not vindictive (20:22;24:29)
  • His Relationships
    • To the Lord
1.    He fears the Lord (9:10;14:16;15:33)
2.    He trusts in the Lord (3:5;16:3,20)
3.    He is ever mindful of the Lord (3:6)
4.    He chooses the Lord's way/wisdom (8:10-11;17:24)
5.    He submits to the Lord's discipline (1:2-3;3:11)
6.    He confesses his sin (28:13)
    • To His Family
1.    To his parents
1.    Respects them (17:6; contrast 30:17)
2.    Listens to them (23:22; cf. 1:8; 4:1)
3.    Seeks to bring them honor and joy
1.    By being wise (10:1;15:20;29:3)
2.    By being righteous (23:24)
3.    By being diligent (10:5)
2.    To his wife
1.    He appreciates her
1.    As a gift from the Lord (18:22;19:14)
2.    As his crowning glory (12:4;31:10-31)
2.    He praises her (31:28)
3.    He trusts her (31:11)
4.    He is faithful to her (5:15-20)
3.    To his children
1.    He loves them (3:12;13:24)
2.    He is concerned about them (1:8-9:18)
3.    He trains them (22:6)
1.    Reasons for training them
1.    Own peace of mind and joy (29:17)
2.    Child's honor and well-being (1:8-9;4:9;19:18;23:13-14)
2.    By teaching/instructing them (1:10; chs. 5-7; 28:7; cf. 4:1-9)
3.    By disciplining them
1.    By verbal correction (13:1)
2.    By physical discipline (13:24;23:13-14)
4.    He provides for their
1.    Physical needs (21:20;27:23-27)
2.    Spiritual heritage (14:26;20:7)
    • To His Friends and Neighbors
1.    To his friends
1.    He values them (27:10)
2.    He is constant to them (17:17; 18:24)
3.    He gives them counsel (27:9,17; cf. 27:6; 28:23)
2.    To his neighbors
1.    He fulfills his obligations (3:27-28)
2.    He strives for peace (3:29-30)
3.    He does not outstay his welcome (25:17)
4.    He does not deceive or mislead them (16:29;26:18-19)
  • His Words
    • The Power of His Words
1.    Their power
1.    The power of life and death (12:6;13:14;15:4;18:21)
2.    The power to heal or to wound (11:9,11;12:18;15:4,30;16:24)
2.    Their limitation
1.    No substitute for deeds (14:23)
2.    Cannot alter the facts (26:23-26)
3.    Cannot compel response (29:19)
    • The Character of His Words
1.    They are honest, not false (12:22;16:13)
2.    They are few, not many (10:19)
1.    Not boastful (27:2)
2.    Not argumentative (17:14)
3.    Not contentious (29:9)
4.    Not a gossip
1.    Revealing secrets (11:13;20:19)
2.    Spreading slander (10:18;26:20-22)
3.    They are calm, not emotional
1.    Rational (15:28;17:27)
2.    Gentle and peaceable (15:1,18)
3.    Yet persuasive (25:15)
4.    They are apt, not untimely (15:23;25:11)
    • The Source of His Words
1.    His heart/character (compare 4:23 with Mt 12:33-35)
1.    Positively, he is righteous (10:11;13:14)
2.    Negatively, he is not
1.    Proud (13:10;6:16-19)
2.    Hateful (26:24,28)
2.    His companions (13:20;27:17)


3.    Reflections (15:28)



The Benefits of Wisdom
2 My child,[c] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
    He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
    and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
    and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
    Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,
    from those whose words are twisted.
13 These men turn from the right way
    to walk down dark paths.
14 They take pleasure in doing wrong,
    and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.
15 Their actions are crooked,
    and their ways are wrong.
16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,
    from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
17 She has abandoned her husband
    and ignores the covenant she made before God.
18 Entering her house leads to death;
    it is the road to the grave.[d]
19 The man who visits her is doomed.
    He will never reach the paths of life.
20 So follow the steps of the good,
    and stay on the paths of the righteous.
21 For only the godly will live in the land,
    and those with integrity will remain in it.
22 But the wicked will be removed from the land,
    and the treacherous will be uprooted.
Trusting in the LORD
3 My child,[e] never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the LORD corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.[f]
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
    by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
    and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the LORD is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
    “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
    for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
    when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy violent people
    or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD,
    but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The LORD curses the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The LORD mocks the mockers
    but is gracious to the humble.[g]
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools are put to shame!

A Father’s Wise Advice
4 My children,[h] listen when your father corrects you.
    Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2 for I am giving you good guidance.
    Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son,
    tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4 My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
    Follow my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
    Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
    Love her, and she will guard you.
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
    And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
    Embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
    she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
10 My child,[i] listen to me and do as I say,
    and you will have a long, good life.
11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways
    and lead you in straight paths.
12 When you walk, you won’t be held back;
    when you run, you won’t stumble.
13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
    Guard them, for they are the key to life.
14 Don’t do as the wicked do,
    and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
    Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
    They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence!
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
    They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
    Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.
24 Avoid all perverse talk;
    stay away from corrupt speech.
25 Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.

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