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