PROVERBS—NOTE ON Proverbs 1:8 A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom. This section describes the two paths implied in Proverbs 1:7: the wise (grounded in the fear of the Lord) and the foolish (despising such wisdom and instruction). The appeals consist of: (1) a father (and mother in Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20) encouraging a son to seek wisdom (e.g., Proverbs 2:1) and warning him against the ruin that comes from folly (e.g., Proverbs 6:1); (2) Wisdom (personified as a woman) calling on all who will listen to seek her (Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 8:1); and (3) a final contrast of the two paths represented by Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (Proverbs 9:1). The purpose of the section is to instruct the young and simple to embrace wisdom and to instill in them the desire to recognize and continue in the path of wisdom.

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