5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
5 There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,
15 Oh, friend, don't give them a second look; don't listen to them for a minute.
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;
15 My child, don't go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.
(Read Proverbs 1:10-19)
Wicked people are zealous in seducing others into the paths of the destroyer: sinners love company in sin. But they have so much the more to answer for. How cautious young people should be! "Consent thou not." Do not say as they say, nor do as they do, or would have thee to do; have no fellowship with them. Who could think that it should be a pleasure to one man to destroy another! See their idea of worldly wealth; but it is neither substance, nor precious. It is the ruinous mistake of thousands, that they overvalue the wealth of this world. Men promise themselves in vain that sin will turn to their advantage. The way of sin is down-hill; men cannot stop themselves. Would young people shun temporal and eternal ruin, let them refuse to take one step in these destructive paths. Men's greediness of gain hurries them upon practices which will not suffer them or others to live out half their days. What is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life? much less if he lose his soul?
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
31 Well, you've made your bed - now lie in it; you wanted your own way - now, how do you like it?
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.
(Read Proverbs 1:20-33)
Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing. Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain; Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall cry in vain. Are we yet despisers of wisdom? Let us hearken diligently, and obey the Lord Jesus, that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death, and for ever.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 1:5
Commentary on Proverbs 1:1-6
(Read Proverbs 1:1-6)
The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.