{
  "schema_version": "simple_bible_commentary_page_v1",
  "generated_at": "2026-05-22T01:36:44.292719+00:00",
  "custom_id": "PRO_017",
  "testament": "OT",
  "book": "Proverbs",
  "passage_ref": "Proverbs 22:17-24:22",
  "title": "The Sayings of the Wise Train Us to Fear the Lord",
  "canonical_url": "/commentary/old-testament-simple/proverbs/pro_017/",
  "json_path": "/data/commentary/old-testament-simple/proverbs/PRO_017.json",
  "simple_summary": "This passage teaches hearers to listen well, keep wisdom in the heart, and live with reverence for the Lord. It warns against exploiting the poor, joining angry or foolish people, chasing wealth, craving rich food, dishonesty, sexual sin, drunkenness, envy, and rebellion. It also praises discipline, honest work, wise counsel, justice for the weak, and steady hope for the righteous.",
  "simple_explanation": "The sayings begin by calling the learner to listen closely and keep the words within. Wisdom is not meant to stay on the lips only. It must shape the heart and the life. The goal is confidence in the Lord and true words that give right answers.\n\nMany of the sayings warn against wrong paths. Do not crush the poor. Do not join yourself to angry people. Do not overreach for wealth or debt. Do not move boundary stones. Do not desire the ruler’s food, the stingy man’s table, the fool’s company, the drunkard’s feast, or the prostitute’s trap. Wine and gluttony lead to shame and ruin. Evil people may look strong for a time, but their end is judgment.\n\nThe passage also honors wisdom in the home and in public life. Children should hear father and mother. Parents should use discipline for good, not harm. The righteous should rescue those being led to death and should not hide behind excuses. Wisdom builds a house, strengthens a worker, guides a soldier, and gives lasting hope. Even when the righteous fall, they rise again. The wise therefore fear the Lord, avoid rebels, and trust that God sees and repays every deed.",
  "important_truths": [
    "Wisdom begins with listening, inward attention, and confidence in the Lord.",
    "The poor and needy must not be exploited, because the Lord defends them.",
    "Anger, debt, greed, drunkenness, gluttony, lust, envy, and rebellion destroy life.",
    "Parents should teach and discipline their children for their good.",
    "Wisdom is practical skill for speech, work, family life, justice, and self-control.",
    "The righteous may fall, but they rise again under God’s care.",
    "The wicked have no lasting future, but fear of the Lord leads to hope."
  ],
  "warnings_promises_commands": [
    "Listen to the words of the wise and apply your heart to instruction.",
    "Do not exploit the poor or crush the needy in court.",
    "Do not make friends with an angry person.",
    "Do not pledge security for debts you cannot pay.",
    "Do not move ancient boundary stones.",
    "Do not wear yourself out to become rich.",
    "Do not eat the food of a stingy person.",
    "Do not speak wisdom to a fool in a way that he will only despise.",
    "Do not withhold discipline from a child.",
    "Do not envy sinners, but fear the Lord.",
    "Do not spend time among drunkards and gluttons.",
    "Do not let your heart envy evil people.",
    "Deliver those being led to death.",
    "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls.",
    "Fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with rebels."
  ],
  "gods_plan_connection": "This passage belongs to covenant life under the Lord’s rule in Israel. It shows that God cares about justice, family order, honest speech, and mercy for the weak. The sayings do not tell the story of a new event, but they form God’s people for wise and faithful life. They also point forward to the need for a truly wise king and a people shaped by the fear of the Lord.",
  "simple_application": "Believers should receive instruction humbly and let it shape their choices. They should guard their hearts from greed, anger, sexual sin, alcohol abuse, and envy. They should honor parents, practice loving discipline in the home, protect the vulnerable, and seek wise counsel. They should not treat proverbs like rigid formulas, but as true wisdom for ordinary life under God.",
  "net_bible_attribution": "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.",
  "source_status": {
    "stage3_status": "",
    "normalized_final_release_status": "",
    "final_release_status": "",
    "stage3_final_release_status": "",
    "operator_review_status": ""
  }
}