Guided first edition · Proverbs 6:20–35
Central truth
Follow the images, arguments, prayers, and observations through which Proverbs wrestles with life before God.
Read the complete assigned passage before isolating a phrase or answering a question. Identify the speakers, setting, repeated words, problem, response, and the change that occurs by the end of the unit.
Immediate context
Read Proverbs 6:20–35 with the paragraphs before and after it. Identify the opening situation, turning point, and outcome.
Proverbs context
The voices deepen the search: Follow the images, arguments, prayers, and observations through which Proverbs wrestles with life before God.
Whole-Bible context
Attend to speaker, image, parallel lines, emotional movement, and the difference between wise guidance and a mechanical promise.
King James Version · 16 verses
Scripture text
Read the complete assigned text. The KJV text is presented here so that every observation can be checked against the passage.
Proverbs 6
King James Version20My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Central truth
Follow the images, arguments, prayers, and observations through which Proverbs wrestles with life before God.
Guided close reading
Work through every reading block in order. The prompts identify what to examine without replacing the words of Scripture.
Chapter summary · 6
Proverbs 6
Proverbs 6 opens in verse 20 with “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”, reaches its middle movement near verse 27 with “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”, and closes in verse 35 with “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many...”. Repeated or prominent terms include woman, keep, burned, commandment, heart. Read these details within the lesson focus: Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”.
Proverbs 6:20–27
20–27: My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy...
Section summary
Proverbs 6:20–27 opens with “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” and reaches “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms keep, woman, commandment.
Deep dive
Verse 20 establishes the section with “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”. Near verse 23, the wording reads “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”. The wording also contains 1 question, giving the reader concrete features to test in context.
Attend to speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice. Do not turn wise guidance into a mechanical promise. Trace the words keep, woman, commandment, heart, life, take across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: keep, woman, commandment, heart, life, take
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Proverbs 6:20
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:21
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:22
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Proverbs 6:23
Reason or consequence: connect this verse to the claim or action immediately before it.
- Proverbs 6:24
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:25
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:26
Reason or consequence: connect this verse to the claim or action immediately before it.
- Proverbs 6:27
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
Proverbs 6:28–35
28–35: Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Section summary
Proverbs 6:28–35 opens with “Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?” and reaches “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms soul, adultery, away.
Deep dive
Verse 28 establishes the section with “Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”. Near verse 31, the wording reads “But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”. The wording also contains 1 question, 2 stated contrasts, giving the reader concrete features to test in context.
Attend to speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice. Do not turn wise guidance into a mechanical promise. Trace the words soul, adultery, away, burned, coals, committeth across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: soul, adultery, away, burned, coals, committeth
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Proverbs 6:28
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:29
Reason or consequence: connect this verse to the claim or action immediately before it.
- Proverbs 6:30
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Proverbs 6:31
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Proverbs 6:32
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Proverbs 6:33
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Proverbs 6:34
Reason or consequence: connect this verse to the claim or action immediately before it.
- Proverbs 6:35
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
Observation and teaching prompt
- Follow the speaker, images, parallel lines, questions, and emotional movement.
- Notice where tension or suffering resists an easy answer.
- Read a saying as wisdom for faithful discernment, not as a mechanical promise detached from context.
Learning objectives
- Place Proverbs 6:20–35 within The voices deepen the search and explain its role in Proverbs.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”.
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how poetry and wisdom shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Proverbs 6:20–35 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: The voices deepen the search (Proverbs · 02).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Proverbs 6:20–35 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Proverbs 6:20–35. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Proverbs 6:20–35 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Proverbs 6:20–35 moves from “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” to “He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many....”?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the The voices deepen the search movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does poetry and wisdom require here?
Show teacher guidance
Attend to speaker, image, parallel lines, emotional movement, and the difference between wise guidance and a mechanical promise.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Proverbs 6:20–35 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Proverbs 6:20–35, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
Use the media after the passage has been read. A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text, so learners should compare it with Scripture rather than treat it as Scripture.
- Before: read the exact passage and name its central movement.
- During: note which words, people, events, or emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After: identify what the media clarifies, what it leaves out, and what must be checked in the text.
Listen and watch alongside the passage
Related media appears only when its Scripture reference overlaps this study unit. Use music and video as companions, then return to the biblical text.
