I. Discourses on wisdom chs. 1-9
A. Introduction to the book 1:1-7
1. The title of the book 1:1
2. The purpose of the book 1:2-6
3. The thesis of the book 1:7
B. Instruction for young people 1:8-7:27
1. Warning against consorting with sinners 1:8-19
2. Wisdom's appeal 1:20-33
3. Wisdom as a treasure chs. 2-3
4. Encouragements to obey these instructions ch. 4
5. Warnings against unfaithfulness in marriage ch. 5
6. Other dangerous temptations 6:1-19
7. Further warnings against adultery 6:20-7:27
C. The value of wisdom and wise conduct chs. 8-9
1. The function of wisdom ch. 8
2. Wisdom and folly contrasted ch. 9
II. Couplets expressing wisdom 10:1-22:16
A. The marks of wise living chs. 10-15
1. Things that produce profit 10:1-14
2. Things of true value 10:15-32
3. Wise living in various contexts 11:1-15
4. Wise investments 11:16-31
5. The value of righteousness 12:1-12
6. Avoiding trouble 12:13-28
7. Fruits of wise living ch. 13
8. Further advice for wise living chs. 14-15
B. How to please God 16:1-22:16
1. Trusting God ch. 16
2. Peacemakers and troublemakers ch. 17
3. Friendship and folly ch. 18
4. Further advice for pleasing God 19:1-22:16
III. Wise sayings 22:17-24:34
A. Thirty sayings of the wise 22:17-24:22
1. The first group 22:17-23:11
2. The second group 23:12-24:22
B. Six more sayings of the wise 24:23-34
IV. Maxims expressing wisdom chs. 25-29
A. Instructive analogies 25:1-27:22
1. Wise and foolish conduct ch. 25
2. Fools and folly ch. 26
3. Virtues and vices 27:1-22
B. A discourse on prudence 27:23-27
C. Instructive contrasts chs. 28-29
V. Two discourses by other wise men chs. 30-31
A. The wisdom of Agur ch. 30
1. The introduction of Agur 30:1
2. Wisdom about God 30:2-9
3. Wisdom about life 30:10-33
B. The wisdom of Lemuel ch. 31
1. The introduction of Lemuel 31:1
2. The wise king 31:2-9
3. The wise woman 31:10-31
