“My son” — having heard and received instruction, the growing child is ready for more truth with growing discernment. Now understanding is seen as a treasure, a divinely protected way of life, a shield. In this way the fear of the Lord is understood and brings sobriety, waiting upon God, thinking seriously.
When wisdom enters into the heart, the soul will be preserved in his ways. The result will be understanding as to what righteousness, judgment and equity mean. By this every good path is made clear. The one who brings wisdom into his heart, knowledge having become pleasant to his soul, is now preserved by discretion and understanding.
The man of the world escapes evil by knowing its crookedness — the believer by knowing good, not evil. What characterizes the evil man is pride, leaving the path of uprightness to walk in darkness. Such rejoice to do evil.
The instruction received from father and mother is intended to deliver from the “strange woman,” from fornication. Her flattery is used to deceive the unsuspecting person. The strange woman is known by her forsaking all that has been taught as to moral and spiritual life, forgetting the law and the covenant with her God. The young person is reminded that the outcome of a life of fornication and sin is death physically and morally.
The fear of the Lord is the full lesson of life. If we walk in the ways of good men, we will be preserved by the power of righteousness, with temporal blessings to follow.