Proverbs Chapter 1 Back Next{1:1} The proverbs of Solomon, the son of
David, king of
Israel:
{1:2} to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
{1:3} to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
{1:4} to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:
{1:5} that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
{1:6} to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
{1:7} The fear of
Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
{1:8} My son, listen to your
father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching:
{1:9} for they will be a garland to
grace your head, and
chains around your neck.
{1:10} My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.
{1:11} If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for
blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
{1:12} let's swallow them up alive like
Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
{1:13} We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our
houses with spoil.
{1:14} You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse."
{1:15} My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,
{1:16} for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
{1:17} For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any
bird:
{1:18} but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
{1:19} So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
{1:20} Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
{1:21} She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city
gates, she utters her words:
{1:22} "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
{1:23} Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
{1:24} Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
{1:25} but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
{1:26} I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
{1:27} when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you.
{1:28} Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
{1:29} because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.
{1:30} They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
{1:31} Therefore they will eat of the
fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
{1:32} For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
{1:33} But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."
Proverbs Chapter 1 Back Next