Proverbs 1:25 kjv
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
Proverbs 1:25 nkjv
Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,
Proverbs 1:25 niv
since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
Proverbs 1:25 esv
because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
Proverbs 1:25 nlt
You ignored my advice
and rejected the correction I offered.
Proverbs 1 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:26-31 | "I also will laugh at your calamity... when panic strikes you like a storm..." | Immediate consequence of rejecting wisdom's counsel. |
| Prov 5:12-13 | "And you say, 'How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!'" | Future regret for despising instruction. |
| Prov 12:15 | "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." | Contrast of those who reject/accept counsel. |
| Prov 13:18 | "Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored." | Consequences of ignoring vs. heeding instruction. |
| Prov 15:32 | "Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding." | Self-destructive nature of rejecting correction. |
| Prov 29:1 | "He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing." | The danger of persistent stubbornness. |
| Psa 81:11-12 | "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me." | God's people's refusal to listen and be corrected. |
| Psa 107:10-11 | "for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High." | Direct statement of spurning God's counsel. |
| Isa 5:24 | "Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble... because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." | Rejection of divine law and word bringing destruction. |
| Jer 6:10 | "...to whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen..." | People refusing to hear God's word and warnings. |
| Jer 7:23-24 | "...But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil hearts..." | Stubborn hearts following their own counsel. |
| Zech 7:11-12 | "But they refused to pay attention... and stopped their ears that they might not hear." | Active refusal to heed divine message. |
| Matt 7:26-27 | "And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man..." | Hearing words but not acting, leading to ruin. |
| Luke 7:30 | "But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves..." | Religious leaders rejecting God's plan and wisdom. |
| John 12:48 | "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge..." | Rejection of Christ and His words leading to judgment. |
| Acts 7:51 | "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit." | Consistently resisting divine counsel/Spirit. |
| Rom 1:28 | "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind..." | Divine abandonment due to willful refusal of truth. |
| 2 Thes 2:10-11 | "...because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion..." | Delusion as a consequence for rejecting truth. |
| Heb 12:25 | "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking..." | Warning against refusing God who speaks. |
| 2 Tim 4:3-4 | "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions..." | Rejecting sound teaching for personal desires. |
Proverbs 1 verses
Proverbs 1 25 Meaning
Proverbs 1:25 describes the listeners' determined refusal to accept the instruction and correction offered by Lady Wisdom. Despite her outstretched hand of counsel, they stubbornly turned away, choosing to ignore her guidance and reject her refining reproof. This verse highlights a deliberate, willful act of rebellion against divine truth, setting the stage for the negative consequences that will follow their unyielding obstinacy.
Proverbs 1 25 Context
This verse is situated within the powerful "Lady Wisdom" discourse found in Proverbs 1:20-33. Here, Wisdom is personified as a prophetess crying out publicly in the city, making her voice and counsel accessible to all (vv. 20-23). After extending an open invitation to listen and receive her spirit (v. 23) and expressing her patient waiting and outstretched hand (v. 24), Proverbs 1:25 reveals the tragic response: people actively rejecting her counsel and rebuke. This rejection becomes the pivot point for the dire warnings that follow (vv. 26-32), where Wisdom declares she will mock their future calamities, illustrating that neglecting her instruction leads to inescapable distress. Historically, the Proverbs were pedagogical texts aimed at training young Israelites in wisdom, understanding, and righteous living, encouraging them to fear the Lord as the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1:7). The specific context of this section serves as a foundational warning against the dangerous choice of self-will and spiritual obstinacy, confronting the deeply ingrained human tendency to despise correction and pursue folly.
Proverbs 1 25 Word analysis
but you ignored: The Hebrew term is para‘ (פָּרַע), meaning "to let loose," "to neglect," or "to disregard." This implies more than simple oversight; it signifies a deliberate act of casting off restraint or throwing aside discipline. It suggests an unbridled refusal to be constrained or guided by external, authoritative wisdom, leading to moral recklessness.
my counsel: The Hebrew is ‘atsati (עֲצָתִי), derived from ‘etsah (עֵצָה), meaning "advice," "plan," or "purpose." In this context, it refers to the strategic guidance and divine direction offered by Lady Wisdom, which embodies God's life-giving plan for humanity's well-being and moral order.
and would have none: The Hebrew is lo' 'avitim (לֹא אֲבִיתֶם), a strong negation of the verb ’avah (אָבָה), meaning "to be willing," "to consent," or "to desire." This phrase underscores a resolute and stubborn unwillingness to accept or agree with the counsel. It signifies active and deliberate non-compliance, not mere indifference.
of my rebuke: The Hebrew term is tokhaḥti (תּוֹכַחְתִּי), from tokhaḥat (תּוֹכַחַת), meaning "reproof," "correction," or "chastisement." This is not just a gentle suggestion, but severe, corrective instruction designed to expose error, guide one away from wrong paths, and bring about moral transformation through discipline.
you ignored my counsel and would have none of my rebuke: This combined expression powerfully depicts a two-pronged yet unified rejection of divine wisdom. "Ignoring counsel" refers to a general casting off of foundational principles for righteous living, while "would have none of my rebuke" signifies a specific and firm refusal to accept corrective feedback when one strays. The combination highlights a pervasive heart attitude that neither proactively seeks guidance nor reactively submits to correction. It reveals a stubborn independence and an unyielding commitment to self-direction over God's established way, which inevitably leads to moral chaos and ultimately, destruction.
Proverbs 1 25 Bonus section
- The Proactive Nature of Rejection: Proverbs 1:25 emphasizes that the fault lies entirely with the hearer. Wisdom does not cease to call; rather, the "ignoring" and "would have none" demonstrate an active, internal resistance and decision against the readily available divine instruction. This negates any excuse of ignorance.
- Ethical Imperative of Discipline: The term "rebuke" (Hebrew tokhaḥat) in wisdom literature carries the weight of necessary discipline and correction. Its rejection signifies an unwillingness to embrace the difficult, yet vital, process of moral and spiritual formation, which is crucial for character development and alignment with God's will.
- The Voice of Warning as Grace: Before judgment falls, Lady Wisdom issues a stern warning. This warning itself is an act of divine grace, offering one last chance to heed and avoid calamity, making the rejection even more significant.
- Progressive Hardening: The language subtly implies a progressive spiritual hardening. Initial disinterest or carelessness morphs into outright, stubborn defiance that makes one increasingly insensitive to the voice of truth, eventually rendering them unresponsive when truly desperate.
Proverbs 1 25 Commentary
Proverbs 1:25 serves as the turning point in Lady Wisdom's address, sharply contrasting her gracious invitation with the stark reality of human defiance. The verse explains why the future judgment in the subsequent verses (1:26-32) is inevitable: it is the direct consequence of sustained and willful rejection. The chosen verbs, "ignored" (implying a rebellious casting off of restraint) and "would have none" (indicating a stubborn unwillingness), portray a deliberate and active choice to turn away from God's wisdom, rather than mere oversight or ignorance. Wisdom's counsel represents God's authoritative design for human life, and her rebuke is His necessary corrective discipline. To refuse both means one chooses a path of self-governance leading to moral anarchy and ultimately, self-destruction. This verse is a stern reminder that while divine wisdom is freely offered, its rejection eventually leads to a hardened heart, making genuine repentance impossible in the moment of greatest need. It teaches that prolonged spiritual apathy transforms into obstinacy, closing the door to salvation through instruction.
- Example: A person repeatedly receives advice about healthy living from medical experts but actively disregards it, also rejecting any attempts to correct unhealthy habits. When illness eventually strikes due to these choices, they are then powerless to reverse the outcome because the consistent neglect hardened their system.
- Example: A student refuses all study tips from teachers and shrugs off all criticism on their poor assignments. When final exams come, they inevitably fail, despite all opportunities to learn being freely given beforehand.