Proverbs 1:8-19
Summary for Prov 1:8: 1:8–9:18 a My child (Literally My son): Like other wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, much of chs 1–9 b is a father’s (and occasionally, a mother’s) instruction to a son. Because the son is being trained to follow in his father’s profession, much of the teaching concerns the son’s occupation. The NLT usually translates the term as child, since the lessons are applicable to both sons and daughters.Summary for Prov 1:8-19: 1:8-19 c There are two paths (1:15 d) in the book of Proverbs: a wise, just way and a foolish, evil way. The parents represent the wise way and encourage their child to follow it.
1:9 e crown you ... chain of honor: Ornaments often represent wisdom and its rewards (see also 3:22 f; 4:9 g). This imagery inspires readers to pursue wisdom with diligence.
Summary for Prov 1:10-19: 1:10-19 h The father warns his child not to join a gang of sinners in their plan to pounce on the innocent, for their evil actions will rebound on themselves (see 28:10 i; Pss 9:15 j; 35:8 k). The evil way is a path of violence and robbery.
1:12 l like the grave: Hebrew like Sheol. In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.
Summary for Prov 1:17-19: 1:17-19 m Birds will not go into an obvious trap, but greedy people will. By resorting to violence and robbery, they will be violently robbed of life. They might be killed in the attempt or executed when caught. Even if sinners prosper until the end of their lives, they will find judgment in death, while the righteous will be in God’s presence (see Ps 1 n).
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