As father again instructs his son (:1) about how to get the most out of life, he focuses on “wisdom” (see :2, 6, 10). Our verse starts an extended wise saying about how wisdom can save us from bad men (:12-15)…and, later, from bad women (:16-19)!
“Save,” deliver, rescue and spare from bad situations is what God’s wisdom (:6) can do for us. In this section it’s saving us from people’s “wicked ways” and “perverse words.”
“Ways of wicked men” suggests what they do, how they act. To be “saved” from this might involve being delivered from things they’re trying to do to me…or “save” me from living and acting like them.
“Men whose words are perverse” is about crooked, twisted or, literally, “turned upside down” words. What they say just can’t be trusted.
Again, wisdom will “save” me from what they say to or about me…or “save” me from learning to think and talk like them.
It’s so easy for us to get caught up in what other people are doing or saying. But our victory will not come by focusing on them or how to outsmart them.
This verse says wisdom will handle it for us. I just need to be willing to keep my focus on God’s Wisdom — not on their ways and words.