(KJV) Proverbs 112

<< Psalm 150 Proverbs 2 >>

⥃The Beginning of Knowledge [ Proverbs 9:1–12 ]

[1] The proverbs3 of Solomon4 the son of David, king of Israel; [2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;5 [3] To receive6 the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity7; [4] To give subtilty8 to the9 simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion10. [5] A wise11 [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man12 of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: [6] To understand a proverb13, and the interpretation14; the words15 of the wise, and their dark16 sayings.

[7] The fear17 of the Lord [is] the beginning18 of knowledge: [but19] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

⥃The Enticement of Sin

[8] My son20, hear21 the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: [9] For they22 [shall be] an ornament23 of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

[10] My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.24 [11] If they say, Come with us, let us lay25 wait for blood, let us lurk26 privily for the innocent without cause: [12] Let us swallow27 them up alive as the28 grave; and whole29, as those that go down into the pit: [13] We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:30 [14] Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: [15] My son, walk31 not thou in the way with them; refrain32 thy foot from their path: [16] For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.33 [17] Surely in vain34 the net is spread in the sight of any bird35. [18] And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily for their [own] lives.36 [19] So [are] the ways of every37 one that is greedy of gain; [which] taketh38 away the life of the owners thereof.

⥃Wisdom Calls Aloud

[20] Wisdom39 crieth40 without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: [21] She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, [saying],41 [22] How42 long, ye simple43 ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners44 delight in their scorning, and fools45 hate knowledge? [23] Turn46 you at my reproof47: behold48, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

[24] [¶]Because I have called49, and ye refused; I have stretched50 out my hand, and no man regarded; [25] But ye51 have set at nought all my counsel, and would52 none of my reproof: [26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;53 [27] When your fear54 cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a55 whirlwind; when distress56 and anguish cometh upon you. [28] Then shall they57 call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek58 me early, but they shall not find me: [29] For that59 they hated knowledge, and did not60 choose the fear of the Lord: [30] They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.61 [31] Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.62 [32] For the turning63 away of the simple shall slay them, and the64 prosperity65 of fools shall destroy them. [33] But whoso66 hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall67 be quiet from fear of evil.

<< Psalm 150 Proverbs 2 >>

  1. The wisdom of all ages, from the highest antiquity, has chosen to compress and communicate its lessons in short, compendious sentences, and in poetic language, which were readily conceived and easily retained, and circulated in society as useful principles, to be unfolded as occasion required. Indeed, such short maxims, comprehending much instruction in a few words, and carrying their own evidence with them, are admirably adapted to direct the conduct, without overburdening the memory, or perplexing the mind with abstract reasonings; and hence there are, in all countries and in all languages, old proverbs, or common sayings, which have great authority and influence on the opinions and actions of mankind. Such maxims, however, want their proper basis, the sanction of a Divine Original; and being generally the mere result of worldly prudence, are often calculated to impose on the judgment, and to mislead those who are directed by them. But the proverbs in this book not only are far more ancient than any others extant in the world, and infinitely surpass all the ethical sayings of the ancient sages; but have also received a Divine imprimatur, and are infallible rules to direct our conduct in every circumstance of human life. They are so justly founded on the principles of human nature, and so adapted to the permanent interests of man, that they agree with the manners of every age; and are adapted to every period, condition, or rank in life, however varied in its complexion or diversified by circumstance. Kings and subjects, rich and poor, wise and foolish, old and young, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, masters and servants, may here learn their respective duties, and read lessons of instruction for the regulation of their conduct in their various circumstances; while the most powerful motives, derived from honour, interest, love, fear, natural affection, and piety, are exhibited to inspire an ardent love of wisdom and virtue, and the greatest detestation of ignorance and vice. These maxims are laid down so clearly, copiously, impressively, and in such variety, that every man who wishes to be instructed may take what he chooses, and, among multitudes, those which he likes best. “He is wise,” say St. Basil, “not only who hath arrived at a complete habit of wisdom, but who hath made some progress towards it; nay, who doth as yet but love it, or desire it, and listen to it. Such as these, by reading this book, shall be made wiser; for they shall be instructed in much divine, and in no less human learning....It bridles the injurious tongue, corrects the wanton eye, and ties the unjust hand in chains. It persecutes sloth, chastises all absurd desires, teaches prudence, raises man’s courage, and represents temperance and chastity after such a fashion that one cannot but have them in veneration.” ↩

  2. Prov 1:1, The use of the proverbs; Prov 1:7, An exhortation to fear God, and believe his word; Prov 1:10, to avoid the enticings of sinners; Prov 1:20, Wisdom complains of her contempt; Prov 1:24, She threatens her contemners. ↩

  3. Prov 10:1, Prov 25:1; 1Kgs 4:31-32; Eccl 12:9; John 16:25 ↩

  4. 2Sam 12:24-25; 1Kgs 2:12; 1Chr 22:9, 1Chr 28:5, 1Chr 29:28 ↩

  5. Prov 4:5-7, Prov 7:4, Prov 8:5, Prov 16:16, Prov 17:16; Deut 4:5-6; 1Kgs 3:9-12; 2Tim 3:15-17 ↩

  6. Prov 2:1-9, Prov 8:10-11; Job 22:22 ↩

  7. Heb. equities, 1Kgs 3:28 ↩

  8. Prov 1:22-23, Prov 8:5, Prov 9:4-6; Ps 19:7, Ps 119:130; Isa 35:8 ↩

  9. Prov 7:7-24, Prov 8:17, Prov 8:32; Ps 34:11, Ps 119:9; Eccl 11:9-10, Eccl 12:1; 2Tim 2:22; Titus 2:6 ↩

  10. or, advisement ↩

  11. Prov 9:9, Prov 12:1; Job 34:10, Job 34:16, Job 34:34; Ps 119:98-100; 1Cor 10:15 ↩

  12. 1Sam 25:32-33; 2Chr 25:16 ↩

  13. Matt 13:10-17, Matt 13:51-52; Mark 4:11, Mark 4:34; Acts 8:30-31 ↩

  14. or, an eloquent speech. ↩

  15. Eccl 12:11 ↩

  16. Ps 49:4, Ps 78:2; Matt 13:34-35; Heb 5:14; 2Pet 3:16 ↩

  17. Prov 9:10; Job 28:28; Ps 111:10, Ps 112:1; Eccl 12:13 ↩

  18. or, principal part ↩

  19. Prov 1:22, Prov 1:29-30, Prov 5:12-13, Prov 15:5, Prov 18:2; John 3:18-21; Rom 1:28 ↩

  20. Prov 1:10, Prov 1:15, Prov 2:1, Prov 3:1, Prov 7:1; Matt 9:2, Matt 9:22 ↩

  21. Prov 4:1-4, Prov 5:1-2, Prov 6:20, Prov 30:17, Prov 31:1; Lev 19:3; Deut 21:18-21; 1Sam 2:25; 2Tim 1:5 ↩

  22. Prov 3:22, Prov 4:9, Prov 6:20-21; 1Tim 2:9-10; 1Pet 3:3-4 ↩

  23. Heb. an adding, Gen 41:42; Song 1:10, Song 4:9; Isa 3:19; Ezek 16:11; Dan 5:7, Dan 5:16, Dan 5:29 ↩

  24. Prov 7:21-23, Prov 13:20, Prov 20:19; Gen 39:7-13; Judg 16:16-21; Ps 1:1, Ps 50:18; Rom 16:18; Eph 5:11 ↩

  25. Prov 1:16, Prov 12:6, Prov 30:14; Ps 56:6, Ps 64:5-6; Jer 5:26; Mic 7:2; Acts 23:15, Acts 25:3 ↩

  26. Prov 1:18; Ps 10:8-10, Ps 17:12, Ps 35:7; Jer 11:19, Jer 18:18-20; Matt 26:3-4; John 15:25 ↩

  27. Ps 35:25, Ps 56:1-2, Ps 57:3, Ps 124:3; Jer 51:34; Lam 2:5, Lam 2:16; Mic 3:2-3 ↩

  28. Ps 5:9; Rom 3:13 ↩

  29. Num 16:30-33, Num 26:10; Ps 28:1, Ps 143:7 ↩

  30. Prov 1:19; Job 24:2-3; Isa 10:13-14; Jer 22:16-17; Nah 2:12; Hag 2:9; Luke 12:15; 1Tim 6:9-10; Rev 18:9-16 ↩

  31. Prov 4:14-15, Prov 9:6, Prov 13:20; Ps 1:1, Ps 26:4-5; 2Cor 6:17 ↩

  32. Prov 4:27, Prov 5:8; Ps 119:101; Jer 14:10 ↩

  33. Prov 4:16, Prov 6:18; Isa 59:7; Rom 3:5 ↩

  34. Prov 7:23; Job 35:11; Isa 1:3; Jer 8:7 ↩

  35. Heb. eyes of everything that hath a wing ↩

  36. Prov 5:22-23, Prov 9:17-18, Prov 28:17; Esth 7:10; Ps 7:14-16, Ps 9:16, Ps 55:23; Matt 27:4-5 ↩

  37. Prov 15:27, Prov 23:3-4; 2Sam 18:11-13; 2Kgs 5:20-27; Jer 22:17-19; Mic 2:1-3; Mic 3:10-12; Hab 2:9; Acts 8:19-20; 1Tim 3:3, 1Tim 6:9-10; Jas 5:1-4; 2Pet 2:3, 2Pet 2:14-16 ↩

  38. Job 31:39; Eccl 5:13 ↩

  39. Heb. Wisdoms, that is, excellent wisdom, Matt 13:54; Luke 11:49; 1Cor 1:24, 1Cor 1:30; Col 2:3 ↩

  40. Prov 8:1-5, Prov 9:3; John 7:37 ↩

  41. Prov 9:3; Matt 10:27, Matt 13:2; John 18:20; Acts 5:20 ↩

  42. Prov 6:9; Exod 10:3, Exod 16:28; Num 14:27; Matt 17:17 ↩

  43. Prov 7:7, Prov 9:4-6, Prov 9:16-18; Ps 94:8; Matt 9:13, Matt 11:29-30, Matt 23:37; Luke 19:42; Rev 22:17 ↩

  44. Prov 3:34, Prov 14:6, Prov 15:12, Prov 19:29, Prov 21:11; Job 34:7; Ps 1:1; 2Pet 3:3 ↩

  45. Prov 1:7, Prov 1:29, Prov 5:12; John 3:20 ↩

  46. Isa 55:1-3, Isa 55:6-7; Jer 3:14; Ezek 18:27-30, Ezek 33:11; Hos 14:1; Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20 ↩

  47. Prov 1:25, Prov 1:30, Prov 6:23, Prov 10:17, Prov 12:1, Prov 29:1; Ps 145:1; Rev 3:19 ↩

  48. Isa 32:15, Isa 45:8; Joel 2:28; Zech 12:10; Luke 11:13; John 7:36-37; Acts 2:36-38; Rev 3:16-18 ↩

  49. Isa 50:2, Isa 65:12, Isa 66:4; Jer 7:13; Ezek 8:18; Zech 7:11-12; Matt 22:5-6; Matt 23:37-38; Heb 12:25-26 ↩

  50. Ps 31:20; Acts 4:30; Rom 10:21 ↩

  51. Prov 1:30; 2Chr 36:16; Ps 107:11; Luke 7:30 ↩

  52. Prov 1:30, Prov 5:12, Prov 12:1; Ps 81:11 ↩

  53. Judg 10:14; Ps 2:4, Ps 37:13; Luke 14:24 ↩

  54. Prov 3:25-26, Prov 10:24-25; Ps 69:22-28; Luke 21:26, Luke 21:34-35; 1Thess 5:3; Rev 6:15-17 ↩

  55. Ps 58:9; Isa 17:13; Nah 1:3 ↩

  56. Luke 21:23-25; Rom 2:9 ↩

  57. Gen 6:3; Job 27:9, Job 35:12; Ps 18:41; Isa 1:15; Jer 11:11, Jer 14:12; Ezek 8:18; Mic 3:4; Zech 7:13; Matt 7:22-23, Matt 25:10-12; Luke 13:25-28; Jas 4:3 ↩

  58. Ps 78:34-36; Hos 5:15, Hos 6:1-4 ↩

  59. Prov 1:22, Prov 5:12, Prov 6:23; Job 21:14-15; Ps 50:16-17; Isa 27:11, Isa 30:9-12; John 3:20; Acts 7:51-54 ↩

  60. Luke 10:42; Heb 11:25 ↩

  61. Prov 1:25; Ps 81:11, Ps 119:111, Ps 119:173; Jer 8:9; Luke 14:18-20 ↩

  62. Prov 14:14, Prov 22:8; Job 4:8; Isa 3:10-11; Jer 2:19, Jer 6:19; Gal 6:7-8 ↩

  63. Prov 8:36; John 3:36; Heb 10:38-39, Heb 12:25 ↩

  64. Deut 32:15-44; Ps 69:22, Ps 92:6-7; Luke 12:16-21, Luke 16:19-25; Heb 12:8; Jas 5:5 ↩

  65. or, ease, Jer 48:11-12 ↩

  66. Prov 8:32-35, Prov 9:11; Ps 25:12-13, Ps 81:13; Isa 48:18, Isa 55:3; Matt 17:5; John 10:27-29; 1Pet 1:5 ↩

  67. Prov 3:21-26, Prov 14:26; Ps 112:7; Isa 26:3; Luke 21:9, Luke 21:19; Rom 8:35-39 ↩