outline of Proverbs

1.  Prologue:  The Purpose of the Book (1:1-7)

2.  Wisdom's Instructions (1:8-9:18)

1. Recommendation of Wisdom (1:8, 9)
2. Warning Against Violence (1:10-19)
3. Rewards of Wisdom (1:20-33)
4. Wisdom as a Divine Gift and Human Task (ch. 2)
5. The Lord's Discipline (3:1-12)
6. Hymn to Wisdom (3:13-20)
7. Guidance in Life's Way (3:21-26)
8. Precepts on Human Relationships (3:27-35)
9. Commendations of Wisdom (ch. 4)
10. Warning Against Adultery (ch. 5)
11. Cautionary Instructions (6:1-19)
12. More Warnings Against Adultery (6:20-7:27)
13. Wisdom's Call and Self-commendation (ch. 8)
14. Competing Calls of Wisdom and Folly (ch. 9)

3.  Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16)

4.  Instructions of the Wise Men (22:17-24:22)

5.  More Sayings of the Wise Men (24:23-34)

6.  More Proverbs of Solomon, Copied by Hezekiah's Men (chs. 25-29)

7.  The Words of Agur (ch. 30)

8.  The Words of Lemuel (ch. 31)

1. The Good King (31:1-9)
2. The Good Wife (31:10-31)