"to learn wisdom and instruction, to learn the rules of prudence, justice, judgment and righteousness"

(Proverbs 1:2-4).

The book is divided into several parts.

The first is the collection of Solomon's parables (chapters 1 to 9), the pursuit of wisdom.

The second is the second collection of Solomon's parables (chapters 10 to 22), a practical morality that comes from here. For example:

"The wise listen to the instructions of the father, but the violent listen to rebuke"

,

"Whoever despises the word harms himself, but whoever fears the commandment is rewarded"

,

"A wise wife will build her house, but a foolish woman will destroy it with her own hands"

.

The third section is the words of the wise, various parables. These are the most diverse aspects of life (from chapters 22 to 24).

The fourth section is also Solomon's parables related to the topic of morality and general welfare (chapters 25-29). The main idea of this part is:

"He who keeps the law will be blessed"

.

The fifth section is the parables of King Agur and King Lemuel – "recognition and family happiness".

The key word is "wisdom". The word "wisdom" is used in a special way, so in the 8th parable and the interpretation of the Holy Fathers it is pointed to the appearance of Christ in the world as the highest wisdom and truth. For comparison, let us open the Gospel of John and Proverbs 8. The word "wisdom" is associated with the word "Christ."

The second symbolism of this book is the image of an unfaithful wife. The personal wisdom of the parable is contrasted with temptation, living wisdom with sensual reason in the form of an unfaithful wife.

The literary features of this book are, first of all, brevity and clarity of content. Many parables have entered our everyday life as sayings. Three forms of expression are used in parables: antithesis, simile and figurative language. The special themes that are touched upon in the parables, in addition to the central ones – wisdom, the fear of the Lord, various godliness – are avarice (1, 17, 27, 28), charity, lying (6:17; 8:13), arrogance (11:2; 12:9), laziness as the mother of all vices.