Proverbs 2:11-21

11 Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you.
12 Wisdom will rescue you from the evil path, from people who twist their words.
13 They forsake the way of integrity and go on obscure paths.
14 They enjoy doing evil, rejoicing in their twisted evil.
15 Their paths are confused; they get lost on their way.
16 Wisdom will rescue you from the mysterious woman, from the foreign woman with her slick words.
17 She leaves behind the partner of her youth; she even forgets her covenant with God.
18 Her house sinks down to death, and her paths go down to the shadowy dead.
19 All those who go to her will never return; they will never again reach the ways of the living.
20 So you should stay on the path of good people, guarding the road of the righteous.
21 Those who have integrity will dwell in the land; the innocent will remain in it.

Proverbs 2:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2

This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pr 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pr 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pr 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pr 2:4. The advantages are, that such shall attain to the fear and knowledge of God; which may be concluded from these being the gift of God to his people, and from their being laid up for them, whom he carefully keeps and preserves, Pr 2:5-8; and not only so, but such learn to do that which is just and right among men, Pr 2:9. And, besides, such is the nature of divine wisdom, that, when it has once got a place in the heart and in the affections, it will be a means of preserving both from the ways of evil men, Pr 2:10-12; who are described, Pr 2:13-15. And from the evil woman, whose character is given, Pr 2:16,17; whose vicious course of life, and the ways she leads persons into, are represented as very dangerous, Pr 2:18,19. And, on the contrary, such is the usefulness of true wisdom, that it leads into the way of good men, who will be happy and safe, when the wicked shall be destroyed, Pr 2:20-22.

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