Table of Contents
Series Preface ix
Author's Preface xv
Abbreviations xvii
Introduction: Sage Theological Commentary xix
Proverbs
Two Ways (Proverbs 1-9) 3
The Basic Framework 3
Prologue (1:1-7) 10
Hearing No Evil (1:8-19) 14
Hearing Wisdoms Offer (1:20-33) 18
Accepting Wisdom's Offer (2) 21
Holding on to Wisdom (3) 25
Prizing and Protecting the Parental Path (4) 29
Avoiding the Adulteress (5) 32
Avoiding Various Entanglements (6) 36
Avoiding Dame Folly (7) 40
Hearing Lady Wisdoms Offer Again (8) 44
Final Offers from Wisdom and Folly (9) 57
The Virtues of Proverbs (Proverbs 10-29) 61
Overview 61
Seven (Cardinal and Theological) Virtues 66
Seven Capital Vices 82
Speech Acts 101
Final Words: Wisdom in Cosmic, Social, and Familial Context (Proverbs 30-31) 106
Oracles from Outsiders 106
Order in Society and the Family 109
Ecclesiastes
Introduction: Nothing Is Really New or Lasting (Under the Sun) (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11) 119
Part 1 A Quest for "Better" (Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:9) 133
Wisdom Offers No Permanent Gain (1:12-18) 134
Achievements Offer No Permanent Gain (2:1-26) 137
Everything Must Be Suitable for Its Time (3:1-15) 150
Is There a Time or Place for Justice? (3:16-22) 157
Justice and the Community(4:l-l6) 160
God's Economy; Fulfilling Vows'(5:l-7) 167
Earthly Economies: Seeing "Wealth, Sleeping Well (5:8-6:9) 172
Transition: Summary of Part 1 and Introduction to Part 2 (Ecclesiastes 6:10-12) 181
Part 2 Who Knows? (Ecclesiastes 7:1-12:7) 183
Proverbs on Wise Living in the Face of Death (7:1-14) 184
Musings on Retribution Theology (7:15-29) 188
Reflections on Wisdom and Authority (8:1-9) 197
Observations Regarding (Injustice (8:10-17) 200
More on Wise Living in the Face of the Future (9:1-10:20) 204
Proverbs on Acting without Certain Knowledge (11:1 -6) 215
Summing Up: Wisdom for Youth (11:7-12:7) 219
Conclusion: The End of the Matter (Ecclesiastes 12:8-14) 227
Bibliography 237
Subject Index 239
Scripture Index 245
