Proverbs
Introduction
to the Book
1:1 The Proverbs1
of Solomon,2
the son of David,3
the king of Israel.
1:2 To know4
wisdom5
and discipline,6
and to discern7
wise sayings.8
1:3 To receive9
instruction in skillful living,10
in righteousness,11
justice,12
and equity.13
1:4 To give14
shrewdness15
to the simpleton,16
to the young person17
knowledge with purpose.18
1:5 (Let the wise19
hear20
and add instruction,
and let the discerning21
acquire guidance.)22
1:6 To discern a proverb and a parable,23
the sayings of the wise and riddles.24
1:7 The fear25
of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools26
despise27
wisdom and instruction.
Introductory Exhortation
1:8 Listen,28
my child,29
to the training30
of your father
and do not forsake the teaching31
of your mother.
1:9 For they will be a garland of grace32
for your head
and a pendant for your neck.
Admonition to Avoid Easy but Unjust Riches
1:10 My child, if sinners33
entice34
you
do not consent.35
1:11 If they say, “Come with us;
we are going to lie in wait36
for blood
we are going to lie in hiding for an innocent person for no reason.37
1:12 We will swallow them alive, like the grave,38
and whole,39
like those going down to the pit.
1:13 We will get40
all kinds of precious wealth,
we will fill our houses with plunder.41
1:14 Throw 42your
lot43
in with us,
and we will all have44
a common purse.”
1:15 My child, do not go in the way with them,
withhold your foot from their path;45
1:16 for their feet46
run to evil,47
and they hasten48
to shed blood;49
1:17 for it is futile to spread50
a net
in front of51
all the birds!
1:18 But these men lie in wait for their own blood,52
they lie in hiding for their own lives.
1:19 Thus53
is the end of all who unjustly gain profit;54
it takes away55
the life of those who get it.56
Warning Against Disregarding Wisdom
1:20 Wisdom57
calls out58
in the street,
she lifts up her voice59
in the plazas;60
1:21 at the head of the noisy61
streets she calls,
in the entrances of the gates in the city62
she makes her speech:
1:22 “How long will you simpletons63
love simple ways?
How long will mockers delight64
in mockery,
and fools hate knowledge?
1:23 If only you will respond65
to my rebuke,66
then I will pour67
out my spirit68
to you,
and I will make69
my thoughts70
known to you.
1:24 Since71
I called but you refused me,
I stretched out my hand72
but no one paid attention,73
1:25 and you neglected74
all my advice
and did not comply75
with my rebuke,
1:26 then76
I will laugh77
at your disaster,78
I will mock when what you dread comes,
1:27 when what you dread comes like a whirlwind,79
and your disaster comes like a storm,80
when distress and trouble81
come upon you.
1:28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer;
they will look to82
me, but they will not find me.
1:29 Because83
they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
1:30 they did not comply with my advice,
they spurned84
all my rebuke,
1:31 then they will eat from the fruit85
of their way86
and from their counsel they will be satisfied.
1:32 For the turning away87
of the simple will kill88
them,
and the careless ease89
of fools90
will destroy them.
1:33 But the one who listens91
to me will live in security92
and be at ease93
from the dread of harm.
