| 1:1 |
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: |
| 1:2 |
to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; |
| 1:3 |
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; |
| 1:4 |
to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: |
| 1:5 |
that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: |
| 1:6 |
to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. |
| 1:7 |
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
| 1:8 |
My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: |
| 1:9 |
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. |
| 1:10 |
My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. |
| 1:11 |
If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; |
| 1:12 |
let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. |
| 1:13 |
We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil. |
| 1:14 |
You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse." |
| 1:15 |
My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, |
| 1:16 |
for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. |
| 1:17 |
For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: |
| 1:18 |
but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. |
| 1:19 |
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. |
| 1:20 |
Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. |
| 1:21 |
She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: |
| 1:22 |
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? |
| 1:23 |
Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. |
| 1:24 |
Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; |
| 1:25 |
but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; |
| 1:26 |
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; |
| 1:27 |
when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. |
| 1:28 |
Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; |
| 1:29 |
because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh. |
| 1:30 |
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. |
| 1:31 |
Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. |
| 1:32 |
For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. |
| 1:33 |
But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm." |
