Proverbs 1:8-19

Proverbs 1:8-19

[8] My son,  hear  the instruction  of thy father,  and forsake  not the law  of thy mother:  [9] For they shall be an ornament  of grace  unto thy head,  and chains  about thy neck.  [10] My son,  if sinners  entice  thee, consent  [11] If they say,  with us, let us lay wait  for blood,  let us lurk  privily for the innocent  without cause:  [12] Let us swallow them up  alive  as the grave;  and whole,  as those that go down  into the pit:  [13] We shall find  all precious  substance,  we shall fill  our houses  with spoil:  [14] Cast  in thy lot  among  us; let us all have one  purse:  [15] My son,  not thou in the way  with them; refrain  thy foot  from their path:  [16] For their feet  run  to evil,  and make haste  to shed  blood.  [17] Surely in vain  the net  is spread  in the sight  of any bird.  [18] And they lay wait  for their own blood;  they lurk privily  for their own lives.  [19] So are the ways  of every one that is greedy  of gain;  which taketh away  the life  of the owners  thereof.

What does Proverbs 1:8-19 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In this pericope, the wise way (following the moral law in general, Proverbs 1:8-9) does not have the personal appeal, or the excitement and hope of power, that the second way does ( Proverbs 1:10-19). Its only reward is goodness, as opposed to acceptance by one"s peers.
"The Bible is the basic textbook in the home. It was once the basic textbook in the educational system, but even if that were still true, the Bible in the school can"t replace the Bible in the home. I note that many modern parents sacrifice time and money to help their children excel in music, sports, and social activities; I trust they"re even more concerned that their children excel in knowing and obeying the Word of God." [1]
Proverbs 1:19 articulates the point of the comparison. The Hebrew word translated "gains" ( Proverbs 1:19) implies a money-grabbing attitude (cf. Proverbs 15:27).