Proverbs 1

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2  To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3  to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4  to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5  Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6  to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

7  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Enticement of Sinners

8  Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
and forsake not your mother's teaching,
9  for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
10  My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
11  If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12  like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13  we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14  throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse"—
15  my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
16  for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
17  For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird,
18  but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
they set an ambush for their own lives.
19  Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.

The Call of Wisdom

20  Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21  at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22  "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
23  If you turn at my reproof,t
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24  Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25  because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26  I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27  when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28  Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29  Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30  would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
31  therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
32  For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33  but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

Proverbs 1

Introduction: how proverbs can be used

1 These are the proverbst
of King Solomon of Israel,
the son of David.

2 Proverbs will teach you
wisdom and self-control
and how to understand
sayings with deep meanings.

3 You will learn what is right
and honest and fair.

4 From these, an ordinary person
can learn to be clever,
and young people can gain
knowledge and good sense.

5 If you are already wise,
you will become even wiser.
And if you are clever,
you will learn to understand

6 proverbs and sayings,
as well as words of wisdom
and all kinds of riddles.

7 Respect and obey the Lord!t
This is the beginning
of knowledge.t
Only a fool rejects wisdom
and good advice.

Parental advice on the importance of seeking wisdom and not being foolish

Warnings against bad friends

8 My child, obey the teachings
of your parents,

9 and wear their teachings
as you would a lovely hat
or a pretty necklace.

10 Don't be tempted by sinners
or listen

11 when they say,
“Come on! Let's gang up
and kill somebody,
just for the fun of it!

12 They're well and healthy now,
but we'll finish them off
once and for all.

13 We'll take their valuables
and fill our homes
with stolen goods.

14 If you join our gang,
you'll get your share.”

15 Don't follow anyone like that
or do what they do.

16 They are in a big hurry
to commit some crime,
perhaps even murder.

17 They are like a bird
that sees the bait,
but ignores the trap.t

18 They gang up to murder someone,
but they are the victims.

19 The wealth you get from crime
robs you of your life.

Wisdom speaks

20 Wisdomt shouts in the streetst
wherever crowds gather.

21 She shouts in the market places
and near the city gates
as she says to the people,

22 “How much longer
will you enjoy
being stupid fools?
Won't you ever stop sneering
and laughing at knowledge?

23 Listen as I correct you
and tell you what I think.

24 You completely ignored me
and refused to listen;

25 you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.

26 “So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,

27 or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun of you.

28 You will ask for my help,
but I won't listen;
you will search,
but you won't find me.

29 No, you would not learn,
and you refused
to respect the Lord.

30 You rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.

31 “Now you will eat the fruit
of what you have done,
until you are stuffed full
with your own schemes.

32 Sin and self-satisfaction
bring destruction and death
to stupid fools.

33 But if you listen to me,
you will be safe and secure
without fear of disaster.”