The book of Proverbs presents two women of different character. One is Wisdom personified. “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:15). She calls people to shun evil and turn to God.

The other woman, Folly, is loud and defiant. She calls out from her door with temptations to immoral living: “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” (9:17). Describing her as an adulterous woman, Proverbs says, “Many are the victims she has brought down. . . . Do not let your heart turn to her ways. . . . Her house is a highway to the grave” (7:25-27).

Proverbs is populated by thieves, sluggards, quarrelers, mockers, and gossips, as well as people who are wise, careful, just, kind, and generous. And we are all humbled by the words “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?” (20:9).

The wisdom of the Bible calls us back to God, to repentance from sin, to right living. We grow to recognize that putting God first in our lives is the only way to truly live. That is why Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Our search for wisdom leads us to Jesus Christ, “who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).