Proverbs 1

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

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;

3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

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

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.

11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;

12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;

14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—

15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!

19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;

21 on top of the wall she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:

22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?

23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.

24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,

25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,

29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord .

30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without 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.”