Proverbs 1

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

2To know wisdom and discipline, to understand sayings of insight.

3to receive instruction in prudence, righteousness, justice, and equity;

4To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.

5The wise hears and increases learning, and the discerning acquires guidance.

6to understand a proverb and an enigma, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.

7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

8My son, hear your father's discipline, and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

9For they will be a graceful garland for your head and chains for your neck.

10My son, if sinners allure you, do not yield.

11If they say, "Come with us, let’s lie in ambush for blood; let’s hide for the innocent without reason."

12Let us devour them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those descending into the pit.

13We will find all precious riches and fill our houses with plunder.

14Cast your lot among us; one purse will be for all of us.

15My son, do not walk their way with them; withhold your foot from their path.

16For their feet run to evil, and they hasten to shed blood.

17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird.

18Yet they lie in wait for their own blood; they hide secretly for their own lives.

19Such are the ways of everyone greedy for gain; it takes the life of its owners.

20Wisdom cries out abroad; she gives her voice in the streets.

21She calls at the head of clamorous places, at the entrances of the city gates she speaks her words.

22How long, simple ones, will you love simplicity, while scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?

23Turn back to my correction. See, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make my words known to you.

24Because I called, and you refused; I held out my hand, and no one heeded.

25but you ignored all my counsel and had no desire for my reproof.

26I too will laugh at your calamity and mock when your dread arrives.

27when your terror comes like desolation and devastation, and your disaster like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you.

28Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, but they will not find me.

29because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Yahweh.

30They refused my counsel and despised all my reproof.

31They will eat the fruit of their way and be filled with their own counsels.

32For the backsliding of the simple kills them, and the complacency of fools destroys them.

33Whoever listens to me will dwell securely and be at ease, free from dread of calamity.