Proverbs 8:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.

NIV: "Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

NASB: 'Now then, sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

CSB: "And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy.

NLT: 'And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.

KJV: Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

NKJV: “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

Just as she called at the beginning of the chapter (Proverbs 8:1–4), at the end of the chapter wisdom calls upon Solomon's sons to listen to her and walk in her ways. This personification of wisdom as a woman echoes early portions of the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:20–21). It also contrasts chapter 7's depiction of a promiscuous, tempting woman (Proverbs 7:10–15).

God's Word imparts wisdom, and God's Son imparts wisdom. But to gain wisdom a person must listen and obey. Jesus compared those who hear His words and obey them to a wise man who built his house on a rock. The house withstood torrential rain and flooding (Matthew 7:24–25). He also compared those who hear His words but fail to obey them to a foolish man who built his house on sand. The house collapsed under torrential rain and flooding (Matthew 7:26–27). Life brings many trials and challenges, and no one is exempt. Those who trust and obey the Lord meet the trials and challenges victoriously. Their enduring faith proves its validity (1 Peter 1:6–7), but those who fail to trust and obey do not survive trials and challenges. Like the foolish builder Jesus referred to, their lives fall apart.

Proverbs 8:32–36 describes wisdom as having existed harmoniously with God before He created the world and everything in it. Now he urges his "sons," who might be students, to pay attention to wisdom, because wisdom blesses those who do so. However, those who reject wisdom receive injuries and death. This fits into the book of Proverbs' heavy use of both symbolism and general-case truth.

In this passage, wisdom is once again imagined as a woman who cries out to be heard (Proverbs 1:20–21). Wisdom extols her own truth and value. Wisdom was part of God's creative power long before even the creation of the universe. The chapter again returns to the many benefits of godly wisdom, before completing those declarations at the start of the next chapter.

Thus far in Proverbs, Solomon has spoken about the virtues of wisdom and the need to acquire it and live by it. He has also warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. Chapter 7 ended with a description of a promiscuous woman seducing a foolish young man. Now, in chapter 8, he lets wisdom speak, once again personified as a woman. She speaks about her existence before creation and her gift of life to all who find her. This analogy continues into chapter 9.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.