Prologue

Book One (1–23)

I. Part I (1:1–4:10)

A. The Divine Origin of Wisdom (1:1–10)

B. The Fear of the Lord: The Beginning and End of Wisdom (1:11–30)

C. Trusting God amid Trials (2:1–18)

D. Honoring Father and Mother (3:1–16)

E. Humility and Pride (3:17–31)

F. Almsgiving and Justice (4:1–10)

II. Part II (4:11–6:17)

A. Lady Wisdom’s Motherly Discipline (4:11–19)

B. On Shame and Timely Speech (4:20–31)

C. Against Presumption, Deceptive Speech, and Unruly Passions (5:1–6:4)

D. Authentic Friendship (6:5–17)

III. Part III (6:18–14:19)

A. Lady Wisdom’s Discipline as Path to Joy (6:18–37)

B. Do Good, Avoid Evil (7:1–17)

C. On Domestic Life: Duties to Family, Priests, and the Poor (7:18–36)

D. Prudence in Relating to Others (8:1–19)

E. Relationships with Women, Friends, Sinners, and Neighbors (9:1–18)

F. On Rulers, Pride, Honor, and Humility (10:1–11:1)

G. On Deceptive Appearances and Trusting in God’s Providence (11:2–28)

H. Discerning Friends from Enemies (11:29–12:18)

I. Beware of the Rich and Powerful (13:1–14:2)

J. Using Wealth Wisely: On Stinginess and Liberality (14:3–19)

IV. Part IV (14:20–23:28)

A. Courting Lady Wisdom (14:20–15:10)

B. Human Free Will and Divine Justice (15:11–16:23)

i. On the Origin of Good and Evil (15:11–20)

ii. The Fate of Sinners (16:1–23)

C. God’s Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy (16:24–18:14)

i. In His Creation of Man (16:24–17:14)

ii. In His Rewards and Punishments (17:15–18:14)

D. Prudence and Integrity in Words and Deeds (18:15–19:17)

i. Give Graciously, Plan Cautiously (18:15–29)

ii. Exercise Temperance, Avoid Gossip (18:30–19:17)

E. True and False Wisdom (19:18–30)

F. Wisdom in Silence and Speech (20:1–31)

i. When to Talk; Gain and Loss (20:1–17)

ii. Appropriate and Inappropriate Talk (20:18–32)

G. The Wise and the Foolish (21:1–22:18)

i. Sin’s Deceptive Path (21:1–28)

ii. The Fool’s Wayward Path (22:1–18)

H. Preserving Friendship (22:19–26)

I. Self-Control over Thoughts, Words, and Deeds (22:27–23:28)

i. Prayer for Self-Control; Sinful Speech (22:27–23:15)

ii. Sexual Sins; Adultery and Its Consequences (23:16–28)

Book Two (24–43)

V. Part V (24:1–33:17)

A. Lady Wisdom’s Hymn of Praise (24:1–34)

i. From Heaven to Earth (24:1–18)

ii. Wisdom’s Feast (24:19–34)

B. Wisdom in Interpersonal Relations (25:1–12)

C. On Good and Evil Women (25:13–26:27)

i. The Wicked Wife (25:13–26)

ii. The Virtuous Wife; the Wicked Wife; the Headstrong Daughter (26:1–18)

iii. Calling Men to Sexual Integrity (26:19–27)

D. Honesty and Integrity in Dealing with Others (26:28–27:15)

E. Offenses against Friendship (27:16–28:26)

i. Betrayal, Deceit, and Anger (27:16–28:7)

ii. Strife and Slander (28:8–26)

F. Lending and Borrowing; Almsgiving and Guaranteeing Loans (29:1–20)

G. On Living Independently and Raising Children (29:21–30:13)

H. Health and Gladness of Heart, Not Wealth, Lead to a Happy Life (30:14–31:11)

I. Proper Etiquette with Food and Wine at Banquets (31:12–32:13)

J. Fearing the Lord, Keeping the Law, and Trusting in Divine Providence (32:14–33:17)

VI. Part VI (33:18–38:23)

A. Maintaining Independence and Disciplining Slaves (33:18–31)

B. Do Not Trust in Dreams; Travel and Fear of the Lord (34:1–17)

C. True Worship: Worthy Sacrifices, Virtuous Life, and Humble Prayer (34:18–35:20)

D. Prayer for National Deliverance (36:1–17)

E. On Choosing a Wife, Friends, and Counselors (36:18–37:15)

F. On Wisdom and Restraining One’s Appetites (37:16–31)

G. On Physicians, Sickness, and Death (38:1–23)

VII. Part VII (38:24–43:33)

A. Manual Trades and the Wisdom of the Scribe (38:24–39:11)

B. Praise of God, Creator of All (39:12–35)

C. Life’s Sorrows and Joys End in Death (40:1–41:13)

i. Human Sorrow and Joy (40:1–30)

ii. Death (41:1–13)

D. Good and Bad Shame; Fathers and Daughters (41:14–42:14)

E. God’s Wondrous Work of Creation (42:15–43:33)

i. The Heavens (42:15–43:12)

ii. The Earth (43:13–33)

Book Three (44–50)

VIII. Part VIII (44:1–50:29)

A. Praise of Israel’s Forefathers (44:1–15)

B. The Early Patriarchs: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (44:16–23)

C. Heroes of the Exodus (45:1–26)

i. Moses (45:1–5)

ii. Aaron and Phinehas (45:6–26)

D. From Conquest to Kingdom: Joshua, Caleb, the Judges, and Samuel (46:1–20)

E. The Davidic Kingdom (47:1–11)

F. Solomon and the Divided Kingdom (47:12–25)

G. The Northern Kingdom of Israel: Elijah and Elisha (48:1–16)

H. The Southern Kingdom of Judah: Hezekiah and Isaiah (48:17–25)

I. King Josiah and the Prophets; Recalling Ancient Heroes (49:1–16)

J. Simon the High Priest (50:1–24)

K. Judah’s Neighbors; Author’s Postscript (50:25–29)

Epilogue (51)

A. Prayer of Thanksgiving (51:1–12)

B. Psalm of Praise

C. The Author’s Search for Wisdom (51:13–30)