revised in discussion with Ken
A (1) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
B (2,3) To know wisdom <02451> and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom <07919>, justice, and judgment, and equity;
C (4) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
D (5) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
F (6) To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;
D1 (6) the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
C1 (7) The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge:
B1 (7) but fools despise wisdom <02451> and instruction.
A1 (8,9) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
How about:
A The proverbs of Solomon
B the son of David, king of Israel;
C To know wisdom and instruction;
D to perceive the words of
E understanding;
F To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and
judgment, and equity;
G To give subtilty to the simple, to the young
man knowledge and discretion.
F’ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
[‘learning’ = ‘something received’]
E’ and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise
counsels: To understand a proverb, and the
interpretation;
D’ the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
C’ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
B’ My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law
of thy mother:
A’ For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. [Note: ‘proverb’ = from Heb. “mashal” = to rule the mind. i.e. the instruction and law of the head]
The point being that Proverbs is written to give instruction to the young – a theme that is repeated throughout the book.
The center is F but there is no E. This can be corrected as follows
D 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
E and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
F 6 To understand a proverb,
F’ and the interpretation;
E’ the words of the wise,
D’ and their dark sayings.