Proverbs 2:5-15

5 Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.
6 And here's why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
7 He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
8 He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.
9 So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all the good trails!
10 Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
11 Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.
12 They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions
13 Of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
14 These losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
15 Traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

Proverbs 2:5-15 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.