Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
These are the (proverbs/wise sayings) that come from Solomon, the King of Israel, who was the son of [King] David.
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding.
(These proverbs [PRS] can teach people/By studying these proverbs, people can learn) how to be wise and how to obey what these proverbs teach them. They will [also] help people to understand which teachings are wise.
3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.
These proverbs [PRS] will teach you how to discipline/control yourselves, how to conduct your lives, and how to do what is right and just [DOU].
4 To give shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to the young man.
They will show [people] who do not [yet] know much how to do things that are smart. They will show young people how to become wise and how to make good plans/decisions.
5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will attain to sound counsel.
Those who are wise should also pay attention [to these proverbs], in order to become more wise, and those who understand [these teachings] will receive good advice/guidance.
6 To understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
Then they will be able to understand the meaning of proverbs and parables/metaphors, these wise sayings and (riddles/sayings that are difficult to understand).
7 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
If [you want to be] wise, you must begin by revering Yahweh. [Only] foolish people despise wisdom and good advice/discipline.
8 My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching:
My son, pay attention to what [I], your father, am teaching you. And do not reject what your mother teaches you.
9 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and a necklace around your neck.
What we teach you [will make you respected like having] a lovely turban around your head and [like] a [beautiful] necklace to put around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
My son, if sinners tempt/entice you [to do what is wrong], say “No” to them.
11 If they say, "Come with us, Let's lie in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
They may say, “Come with us! Join us! We will hide and then kill [MTY] someone [who passes by]. We will ambush some helpless/innocent people.
12 let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
We will kill them [HYP] and get rid of them completely, [just] like [people who are buried in] graves are gone forever. While they are in good health, we will send them to the place where dead people are. (Sheol h7585)
13 We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.
And we will seize all the things that they own. We will fill our houses with these things!
14 Throw in your lot with us. We'll all have one purse."
[So], come with us! Join our group! We will share with you the things that we steal.”
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,
My son, do not accompany them! Do not walk on the roads with them!
16 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
They rush to do evil deeds! They hurry to murder [MTY] people.
17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:
It is useless to put out a (trap/net to catch a bird) because when a bird sees it, [it stays away from it].
18 but these lie in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
But those wicked people are not like the birds, [because they do not realize] that when they prepare to ambush someone to kill him, they will be killed themselves!
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
That is what happens to people who eagerly try to get things [by violently attacking others]. They will only destroy themselves!
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
Wisdom [PRS] shouts to people in the streets, and calls out to people in the (plazas/town squares).
21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
Wisdom calls out in noisy places, and at the entrances to cities.
22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
[Wisdom says], “How long will you stupid people continue to enjoy doing foolish things [RHQ]? How long will you people who ridicule God enjoy doing that [RHQ]? How long will you foolish people refuse to know [what things are right] [RHQ]?
23 Turn at my reproof. Look, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
If you pay attention to me when I rebuke you, I will tell you what I am thinking in my inner being; I will give you some good advice.
24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
But when I called to you, you refused to listen. I beckoned to you to come to me, but you ignored me.
25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
I tried to advise you, but you refused to listen to me. I tried to correct you, but you rejected what I told you.
26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
So [now], when you are experiencing troubles/disasters, I will laugh at you. When things happen that cause you to be afraid, I will make fun of you.
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you.
When calamities strike you like a big storm, when disasters hit you like a violent wind, when [all kinds of things] distress you and give you trouble, [I will ridicule you!]
28 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
[Wisdom also says], “When foolish people call to me [to help them], I will not answer them. They will search for me diligently/everywhere, but they will not find me.
29 because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of YHWH.
They refused to know [what things are right], and they decided not to revere Yahweh.
30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
They would not accept my advice, and they did not pay attention when I tried to correct them.
31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
So they will endure what will result [MET, DOU] from the evil way they have lived/behaved and the evil things they have planned to do.
32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
Those who turn away from me are stupid/foolish; they will die because of doing that.
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."
But those who pay attention to me will live peacefully and safely, and they will not be afraid that something will harm them.”
