January 11

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.
Proverbs 2:9-15

Just like in chapter one (vv.2-3) we see the intricate connection between knowledge and understanding with wise behavior. Proverbs are meant to change our values and rearrange our priorities.

This is already the third time the verb "you will understand" is used (1:2; 2:5 and 2:9). The learner's mind will be developed to discern what is "right," "just," and "fair." Not only will his apprehension of wisdom increase but so will his appreciation for it. Knowledge will be "pleasant," a word that describes a quality that attracts one to an object - so knowledge is attractive and attracting. When a person absorbs wisdom, doing right becomes attractive and delightful (Toy, p. 41).

Verses 12-15 reveal the first of two specific examples of wisdom's protection. Here wisdom keeps one from "men of perverted speech" (vv.16-19 describe how wisdom keeps one from the "forbidden woman"). This is also just the first of many proverbs that connect the character of one's life with the character of one's associates.

A wise person will be delivered from the wicked. Verses 13-15 go in to some detail about these kind of men, describing both their conduct and motivation. Note the repetition of words like "paths" (used twice) and "ways" (also used twice). They habitually choose a lifestyle that is more interested in "darkness" and "evil." More than just interested they get their greatest happiness from these ways. They "rejoice in doing evil" and "delight in the perverseness."

Let us be wise and stay clear of the crooked.