NET Bible Text
1:1 The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
1:2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel.
1:3 To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity.
1:4 To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person.
1:5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)
1:6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
1:7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Simple Summary
This opening shows why Proverbs was written. It is meant to shape wise, disciplined, and upright people before God. The book begins with this truth: fearing the LORD is the start of real knowledge.
What This Passage Means
Proverbs 1:1-7 is the introduction to the whole book. It names Solomon and then explains the goal of the teaching. The purpose is to learn wisdom, receive instruction, and live with righteousness, justice, and equity.
The book is not only for the young or the simple. Even the wise must keep listening and growing. It also helps the reader understand Proverbs itself, because wisdom sayings are often short and layered.
The main truth comes in verse 7: fearing the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools reject wisdom and correction. True wisdom begins with reverence for God and a humble heart that accepts his instruction.
Important Truths
- Proverbs is a book of instruction for wise and upright living.
- Its purpose is to train people in righteousness, justice, and equity.
- The simple and the young need guidance, but the wise still need instruction.
- Wisdom includes learning how to understand sayings, parables, and riddles.
- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
- Fools show themselves by despising wisdom and instruction.
Warnings, Promises, or Commands
- Warning: fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Command implied by the passage: receive instruction, listen, and keep learning.
- Promise: the book is given to teach shrewdness, discernment, and wise counsel.
- Warning: knowledge is not true knowledge when it is cut off from reverence for the LORD.
How This Fits in God's Plan
This passage belongs to Israel’s wisdom tradition under the covenant life of God’s people. It teaches that faithful living before the LORD shapes daily conduct, justice, and teachability. In the wider Bible, this fits the truth that true wisdom begins with reverence for God and is never separate from obedience.
Simple Application
Do not treat Proverbs as only practical advice for success. Read it as training for a humble, obedient life before God. Keep listening, keep learning, and let reverence for the LORD shape your choices.