Proverbs 1

Chapter 1

The Purpose of Proverbs

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

8 My child,t listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck.10 My child, if sinners entice you,
turn your back on them!11 They may say, “Come and join us.
Let’s hide and kill someone!
Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!12 Let’s swallow them alive, like the gravet;
let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.13 Think of the great things we’ll get!
We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.14 Come, throw in your lot with us;
we’ll all share the loot.”15 My child, don’t go along with them!
Stay far away from their paths.16 They rush to commit evil deeds.
They hurry to commit murder.17 If a bird sees a trap being set,
it knows to stay away.18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;
they are trying to get themselves killed.19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
it robs them of life.

Wisdom Shouts in the Streets

20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
She cries out in the public square.21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,
to those gathered in front of the city gate:22 “How long, you simpletons,
will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
How long will you fools hate knowledge?23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
and make you wise.24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.
I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.25 You ignored my advice
and rejected the correction I offered.26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble!
I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone,
and anguish and distress overwhelm you.28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.
Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.29 For they hated knowledge
and chose not to fear the LORD.30 They rejected my advice
and paid no attention when I corrected them.31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.33 But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”

PROVERBS 1

How Proverbs //Can Be Used

1  t These are the proverbs
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 smart,
and young people can gain
knowledge and good sense.

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

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

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

Warnings //against Bad Friends

8 My child, obey the teachings
of your parents,

9 and wear their teachings
as you would a pretty hat
or a lovely 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  t Wisdomt shouts in the streets
wherever crowds gather.

21 She shouts in the marketplaces
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.

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.”