1Proverbs 1

1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:Select Proverbs 1:1

2to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;Select Proverbs 1:2

3to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;Select Proverbs 1:3

4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:Select Proverbs 1:4

5that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:Select Proverbs 1:5

6to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.Select Proverbs 1:6

7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.Select Proverbs 1:7

8My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:Select Proverbs 1:8

9for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.Select Proverbs 1:9

10My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.Select Proverbs 1:10

11If they say, “Come with us, Let’s lay in wait for blood; let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;Select Proverbs 1:11

12let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.Select Proverbs 1:12

13We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.Select Proverbs 1:13

14You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse.”Select Proverbs 1:14

15My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,Select Proverbs 1:15

16for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.Select Proverbs 1:16

17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:Select Proverbs 1:17

18but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.Select Proverbs 1:18

19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.Select Proverbs 1:19

20Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.Select Proverbs 1:20

21She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:Select Proverbs 1:21

22“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?Select Proverbs 1:22

23Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.Select Proverbs 1:23

24Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;Select Proverbs 1:24

25but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;Select Proverbs 1:25

26I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;Select Proverbs 1:26

27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you.Select Proverbs 1:27

28Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;Select Proverbs 1:28

29because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.Select Proverbs 1:29

30They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.Select Proverbs 1:30

31Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.Select Proverbs 1:31

32For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.Select Proverbs 1:32

33But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”Select Proverbs 1:33