2:3-6Wisdom comes in two ways: It is a God-given gift and also the result of an energetic search. Wisdom’s starting point is God and his revealed Word, the source of “knowledge and understanding” (2:6). In that sense, wisdom is God's gift to us. But he gives it only to those who earnestly seek it. But because God’s wisdom is hidden from the rebellious and foolish, it takes effort to find it and use it. The pathway to wisdom is strenuous. When we are on the path, we discover that true wisdom is God’s and that he will guide us and reward our sincere and persistent search.
Life Application Study BibleProverbsChapter 2
Proverbs 2
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1003, 1004
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
2Proverbs 2
1and treasure my commands.
2Tune your ears to wisdom,and concentrate on understanding.
3Cry out for insight,and ask for understanding.
4Search for them as you would for silver;seek them like hidden treasures.
5Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,and you will gain knowledge of God.
6For the LORD grants wisdom!From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8He guards the paths of the justand protects those who are faithful to him.
9Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,and you will find the right way to go.
10For wisdom will enter your heart,and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11Wise choices will watch over you.Understanding will keep you safe.
12Wisdom will save you from evil people,from those whose words are twisted.
13These men turn from the right wayto walk down dark paths.
14They take pleasure in doing wrong,and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.
15Their actions are crooked,and their ways are wrong.
16Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. 17She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. 18Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.* 19The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
20Follow the steps of good men instead,and stay on the paths of the righteous.
21For only the godly will live in the land,and those with integrity will remain in it.
22But the wicked will be removed from the land,and the treacherous will be uprooted.
Textual footnotes
- 2:1 Hebrew My son.
- 2:18 Hebrew to the spirits of the dead.
Life Application Notes 4 notes
2:6,7God gives wisdom and victory to the godly but not to those drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources. If we are faithful to him and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed.
2:9,10We gain wisdom through a constant process of growing. First, we must trust and honor God. Second, we must realize that the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us. Third, we must make a lifelong series of right choices and avoid moral pitfalls. Fourth, when we make sinful choices or mistakes, we must learn from Our errors and recover. People don't develop all aspects of wisdom at once. For example, some people have more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge than common sense. But we can pray for all aspects of wisdom and take the steps to develop them..
2:16,17An immoral or promiscuous woman is seductive or a prostitute. Two of the most difficult sins to resist are pride and sexual immorality. Both are seductive. Pride says, “t deserve it’; sexual desire says, “I need it.” In combination, their appeal is deadly. In fact, says Solomon, only by relying on God’s Strength can we overcome them. Pride appeals to the empty head; sexual enticement to the empty heart. By looking to God, we can fill our heads with his wisdom and our hearts with his love. Don’t be fooled¢—remember what God says about who you are and what you were meant to be. Ask him for strength to resist these temptations. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.