Proverbs 1
1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. 1
2These proverbs are to teach wisdom and instruction, 1 to teach words of insight, 1
3that you may receive instruction in order to live 1 by doing what is right, just, and fair. 1
4These proverbs are also to give wisdom to the naive, 1 and to give knowledge and discretion to young people. 1
5Let wise people listen and increase their learning, 1 and let discerning people get guidance, 1
6to understand proverbs, sayings, 1 and words of wise people and their riddles. 1
7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge— 1 fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1
8My son, hear the instruction of your father 1 and do not lay aside the rules of your mother; 1
9they will be a graceful wreath for your head 1 and pendants hanging from your neck. 1
10My son, if sinners try to entice you into their sin, 1 refuse to follow them. 1
11If they say, “Come with us, 1 let us lie in wait for blood, 1 let us hide and attack innocent people for no reason. 1
12Let us swallow them up alive, like Sheol takes away those who are healthy, 1 and make them like those who fall into the pit. 1
13We shall find all kinds of valuable things; 1 we will fill our houses with what we steal from others. 1
14Throw in your lot with us; 1 we will all have one purse together.” 1
15My son, do not walk down that road with them; 1 do not let your foot touch where they walk; 1
16their feet run to evil 1 and they hurry to shed blood. 1
17For it is useless to spread the net in the sight of any bird. 1
18These men lie in wait for their own blood— 1 they set an ambush for their own lives. 1
19So are the ways of everyone who gains riches by injustice; 1 unjust gain takes away the lives of those who hold on to it. 1
20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, 1 she raises her voice in the open places; 1
21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, 1 at the entrance of the city gates she speaks, 1
22“How long, you naive people, will you love being naive? 1 How long, you mockers, will you delight in mockery, 1 and how long, you fools, will you hate knowledge? 1
23Pay attention to my correction; 1 I will pour out my thoughts to you; 1 I will make my words known to you. 1
24I have called, and you have refused to listen; 1 I reached out with my hand, but there was no one who paid attention. 1
25But you have ignored all my instruction 1 and paid no attention to my correction. 1
26I will laugh at your calamity, 1 I will mock you when the terror comes— 1
27when your fearful dread comes like a storm 1 and disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, 1 when distress and anguish come upon you. 1
28Then they will call upon me, and I will not answer; 1 they will desperately call for me, but they will not find me. 1
29Because they hate knowledge 1 and did not choose the fear of Yahweh, 1
30they would not follow my instruction, 1 and they despised all my correction. 1
31They will eat the fruit of their ways, 1 and with the fruit of their schemes they will be filled. 1
32For the naive are killed when they turn away, 1 and the indifference of fools will destroy them. 1
33But whoever listens to me will live in safety 1 and will rest secure with no fear of disaster.”