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