Proverbs 1:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

NIV: since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,

NASB: And you neglected all my advice And did not want my rebuke;

CSB: since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction,

NLT: You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

KJV: But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

NKJV: Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,

Prior verses have described the offer of wisdom given to all people. Wisdom is imagined as a woman calling out in a crowded, public place. The only way to avoid her is to ignore her. Those who listen will be blessed. Unfortunately, as seen in verse 22, many people purposefully choose ignorance. Many people in the world "would rather not know."

Verse 25 gives a deeper sense of this rebellion. Those who turn away from wisdom are not simply choosing another path. They are ignoring—disregarding, or neglecting—her advice, deliberately choosing not to consider what she says. The phrase "would have none of" it, as in the ESV and NKJV, is very descriptive. When a person insists on rejecting every single part of a message, we say they are "having none of it."

Those who are ignoring wisdom, according to this passage, are like those described in verse 18. They have already started down the path of wickedness, and they refuse to hear anything from wisdom to turn them from sin.

Proverbs 1:20–33 concludes the first chapter of Proverbs with the dire consequences of the behaviors defined in the previous section. Also, in this segment is the first personification of wisdom as a female. Throughout Proverbs, Solomon likens wisdom to a woman crying out. The theme is that she is not hiding but is out in the open for all to hear, even though she often goes overlooked.

Proverbs Chapter 1 provides a clear description of the purpose of the book. It is stated plainly who wrote the book, the lineage of Solomon, and to whom he was writing. Solomon gives four distinct purpose statements in the opening verses. The essence of these is to explain why he is writing the book as well as the source of his inspiration. Solomon concludes with a warning against sinfulness and a personal plea for his children to act wisely.

Proverbs Chapter 1 is clearly born out of Solomon’s life history. Solomon held himself back from no earthly pleasure, he had everything he could ever desire, and in the end he saw the foolishness of his actions. Chapter 1 is Solomon’s reflection on his own life, how he had all the wisdom of God available to him, and yet chose to follow after foolish desires. Other chapters detail the advice which this experience allows Solomon to give.

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 6:23:13 AM