OUTLINE OF PROVERBS

1. Introduction (1:1-7)

2. Constrast and comparison of wisdom and folly (1:8-9:18)
   1. The desirability of wisdom (1:8-2:22)
      It guards against evil companions (1:8-19)
      It is despised by fools (1:20-33)
      It delivers from evil men and women (2:1-22)

   2. The practical blessings of wisdom (3:1-35)
      God prospers the wise (3:1-35)
      God protects the wise (3:19-26)
      God blesses the wise (3:27-35)

   3. The benefits of wisdom in exerience (4:1-27)

   4. The warnings against the ways of folly (5:1-7:27)
      Avoid the strange woman (5:1-23)
      Avoid the unwise business dealings (6:1-5)
      The dangers of laziness and deceit (6:6-19)
      The folly of adultery (6:20-7:27)

   5. The personification of wisdom (8:1-9:18)
      Wisdom has great riches (8:1-31)
      Blessings assured to the possessor of wisdom (8:32-36)
      The invitation of wisdom's banquet (9:1-12)
      The invitation of folly (9:13-18)

3. Ehtical maxims (10:1-22:16)
   1. Contrast of right and wrong in practice (10:1-15:33)

   2. Admonition to fear and obey God (16:1-22:16)

4. The words of the wise (22:17-24:34)
   1. The ways of wisdom and folly (22:17-24:22)

   2. Practical warnings (24:23-34)

5. Collection by the men of Hezikiah (25:1-29:27)
   1. Kings and subjects should fear God (25:1-28)

   2. Warnings and moral lessons (26:1-29:27)

6. The words of Agur (30:1-33)

7. The words of Lemuel (31:1-31)