Qumran in Israel

Warnings Against Idleness and Deceit

My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:1-19 kjv)

THE PROVERBS The Hebrew title comes from the word mashãl (4912 [Prov. 1:1]) which means "to be like." Perhaps this word helps the readers to understand the analogies between spiritual and material things. The actual term "Proverbs" was derived from the Latin title that the book was given, "Proverbium." The theme of the book is found in Proverbs 1:7, where the means by which wisdom comes is revealed - fearing the Lord. The results of the proper application of wisdom include the ability to use God-given talents wisely, the realization of his moral obligations and his own intellectual maturity. There are numerous authors of the Book of Proverbs; however, the book is often attributed to Solomon because he wrote the largest portion. Solomon's proverbs are divided into three sections: the longer, connected poems (chaps. 1 -9); short, unrelated verses (chaps. 10 - 22:16); and longer, didactic poems (chaps. 25 -29). Some would suggest that because the first and last section are similar, they were collected by the men of Hezekiah (Prov. 25:1). Another group of proverbs is referred to as "the sayings of the wise" (chaps. 22:17 -24:34). Agar, the son of Jakeh wrote as well (chap. 30). The last collection of proverbs was written by King Lemuel (chap. 31). These were lessons that he was taught by his mother (v. 1). In the Book of Proverbs there are several divisions based on their content. The first is referred to as "wisdom" proverbs (chaps. 1; 8; 9). They are referred to as such because of the personification of wisdom (Prov. 8:4, 12). Another section contains the proverbs of advice to the young (chaps. 1 -9). These are basically long, explanatory poems usually employing second person pronouns for direct address. Other phrases that note direct address are "my son " or "ye children." Solomon also addresses a number of proverbs to those who have a more mature mind (Prov. 10 -22:16).   Here, third person pronouns are used in a form of indirect address. Some concepts included in this portion are God's sovereignty (chaps. 16:21) and child training (chap. 22). The fourth division is found in chapters twenty-two through thirty-one. These are a general collection of admonitions, directed at both the young and old alike. Some of the topics mentioned in the book are: benevolence (Prov. 11:24 -26), the contrast between the "right way" and the "wrong way" (Prov. 14:12; 16:25), separation 2 -5), and abstinence from alcohol (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-32). [Source for Introduction of chapter: Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible KJV edited by Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 37422]