Prudence in Proverbs

Prologue: Purpose and Theme (Proverbs 1:1-7, NIV)

Stage 1

v1: The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
v2: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
v3: for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
v4: for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young -
v5: let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance -
v6: for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
v7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Stage 2

v2a: wisdom and discipline
v2b: understanding words of insight
v3: a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair
v4a: prudence
v4b: knowledge and discretion
v5: the wise listen and add to their learning; the discerning get guidance
v6: understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise
v7: the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and discipline

Stage 3

v2a: A
v2b: B
v3: C
v4a: C
v4b: D
v5: D
v6: B
v7: A

Prudence, Knowledge and Discretion

"for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young" - Proverbs 1:4 (NIV)

"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion." - Proverbs 8:12 (NIV)

The Wisdom of the Prudent

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." - Proverbs 14:8 (NIV)

"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." - Proverbs 14:15 (NIV)

"The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." - Proverbs 14:18 (NIV)