Proverbs 2:11-21

11 Good sense will protect you; understanding will guard you.
12 It will keep you from the wicked, from those whose words are bad,
13 who don't do what is right but what is evil.
14 They enjoy doing wrong and are happy to do what is crooked and evil.
15 What they do is wrong, and their ways are dishonest.
16 It will save you from the unfaithful wife who tries to lead you into adultery with pleasing words.
17 She leaves the husband she married when she was young. She ignores the promise she made before God.
18 Her house is on the way to death; those who took that path are now all dead.
19 No one who goes to her comes back or walks the path of life again.
20 But wisdom will help you be good and do what is right.
21 Those who are honest will live in the land, and those who are 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.