Proverbs 2:9-19

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment; and shalt direct all thy course aright.

10 For if wisdom shall come into thine understanding, and discernment shall seem pleasing to thy soul,

11 good counsel shall guard thee, and holy understanding shall keep thee;

12 to deliver thee from the evil way, and from the man that speaks nothing faithfully.

13 Alas who forsake right paths, to walk in ways of darkness;

14 who rejoice in evils, and delight in wicked perverseness;

15 whose paths are crooked, and their courses winding;

16 to remove thee far from the straight way, and to estrange thee from a righteous purpose. son, let not evil counsel overtake thee,

17 who has forsaken the instruction of her youth, and forgotten the covenant of God.

18 For she has fixed her house near death, and her wheels near Hades with the giants.

19 None that go by her shall return, neither shall they take hold of right paths, for they are not apprehended of the years of life.

Proverbs 2:9-19 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. all good a les.
• [b]. Lit. wheel tracks. Compare Heb 12. 13.
• [c]. See Heb.
• [d]. Singular variation from Heb.
• [e]. Gr. smooth.