Chapter 4 contains three lectures in praise of wisdom. This poem assumes that a young man will be interested in building up his estate and acquiring possessions; the poet wishes to impress the point that wisdom is the most valuable possession of all. According to this author, the righteous lives his life in the dawn while the wicked stumbles around in impenetrable darkness. The sure path of life is to choose the right road. Chapter 5 makes clear that the problem is not prostitution but adultery. The temptress is described as being charming with a concealed deadly poison. In ancient Hebrew society the punishment for adultery was death. Yet, the present law seems to indicate that adulterous young men may lose their property to the injured husband. In picturesque language, the poet emphasizes the need to restrict sexual attention to one’s own wife. Chapter 6 advises young men to refrain from guaranteeing debts for friends. Common sense says this could lead only to disaster. Laziness and crookedness are not to be tolerated. God detests seven things- improper ways to use the 5 organs of the body, false witness, and the man who sows discord. Again, the writer warns against adultery. One cannot play with fire without getting burned he says. Chapter 7 describes a typical seduction scene where in the absence of her husband, the adulteress lures a foolish youth to his doom. The pursuit of loose and foolish women is the way that leads to Sheol.
Chapter 4 contains three lectures in praise of wisdom. This poem assumes that a young man will be interested in building up his estate and acquiring possessions; the poet wishes to impress the point that wisdom is the most valuable possession of all. According to this author, the righteous lives his life in the dawn while the wicked stumbles around in impenetrable darkness. The sure path of life is to choose the right road. Chapter 5 makes clear that the problem is not prostitution but adultery. The temptress is described as being charming with a concealed deadly poison. In ancient Hebrew society the punishment for adultery was death. Yet, the present law seems to indicate that adulterous young men may lose their property to the injured husband. In picturesque language, the poet emphasizes the need to restrict sexual attention to one’s own wife. Chapter 6 advises young men to refrain from guaranteeing debts for friends. Common sense says this could lead only to disaster. Laziness and crookedness are not to be tolerated. God detests seven things- improper ways to use the 5 organs of the body, false witness, and the man who sows discord. Again, the writer warns against adultery. One cannot play with fire without getting burned he says. Chapter 7 describes a typical seduction scene where in the absence of her husband, the adulteress lures a foolish youth to his doom. The pursuit of loose and foolish women is the way that leads to Sheol.
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