Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for learning wisdom and discipline, for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in wise conduct, in righteousness, justice, and uprightness;
4 for giving prudence to the inexperienced, and knowledge and discretion to the young;
5 let the wise hear and increase in learning, and let the discerning gain guidance;
6 for understanding a proverb and a figure of speech, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 Listen, my son, to your father's discipline, and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 For they are a graceful wreath for your head and a necklace for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners try to entice you, do not give in.
11 If they say, “Come with us; let us lie in wait to shed blood, let us ambush the innocent for no reason.
12 Let us swallow them alive, like Sheol, whole, like those who go down to the pit.
13 We will find all kinds of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder.
14 Cast your lot in with us; we will all have one purse.”
15 My son, do not go along with them; keep your foot from their path.
16 For their feet run toward evil; they hurry to shed blood.
17 It is useless to spread a net where any bird can see it.
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
19 Such are the ways of everyone greedy for gain: it takes the life of its owner.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street; she raises her voice in the squares.
21 At the noisy crossroads she calls; at the entrances to the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love inexperience? How long will mockers delight in mocking, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn when I correct you! Look, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention,
25 you ignored all my advice and would not accept my correction,
26 I, in turn, will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when terror comes upon you,
27 when your terror comes like a storm and your disaster sweeps in like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me eagerly, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 they would not accept my advice; they despised all my correction,
31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be filled with their own schemes.
32 For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety, at ease, without fear of harm.”
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