Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
They are for achieving wisdom and instruction, and to recognize sayings that bring insight.
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
They provide education in what makes sense, living right, judging correctly, and acting fairly.
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
They give discernment to the immature, knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
Wise people will listen and gain in learning, and those who have good judgment will gain skills in guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
understanding the proverbs and puzzles, the sayings and questions of the wise.
7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
Honoring the Lord is where true knowledge begins, but fools treat wisdom and good advice with contempt.
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.
9 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
They are a wreath of grace to decorate your head; they are pendants for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.
My son, if evil people try to tempt you, don't give into 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 tell you, “Come with us. Let's go and hide, ready to kill someone. Let's ambush someone for fun!
12 Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
Let's bury them alive; let's put them in the grave while they're still healthy! (Sheol h7585)
13 We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
We'll take from them all kinds of valuable things and fill our homes with the stuff we steal!
14 You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—
Come and join us and we'll all share what we get!”
15 my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
My son, don't follow their ways. Don't go in that direction with them.
16 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
For they rush to do evil; they hurry to commit violence and murder.
17 For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
There's no point in trying to lure birds into a net when they can see it.
18 but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
However, these evil people hide ready to kill others, but they themselves are the victims. They're only ambushing themselves!
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
This is what happens to you if you try to become rich through crime—it kills you!
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
Wisdom calls out in the streets; she shouts aloud in the squares.
21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
She cries out at busy corners; she explains her message at the town gates:
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
“How long will you stupid people love stupidity? How long will scornful people enjoy their mocking? How long will fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
Pay attention to my warnings, and I'll pour out my deepest thoughts to you—I'll explain what I know to you.
24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
For I have called you, but you refused to listen; I reached out my hand to you, but you didn't care.
25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
You ignored everything I said; you wouldn't accept any of my warnings.
26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
So I'll laugh at you when you're in trouble; I'll mock you when you're in a panic.
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.
When panic rains down on you like a storm, when trouble hits you like a whirlwind, when sorrow and pain 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,
then you'll call out to me for help, but I won't answer; you'll search hard for me, but won't find me.
29 because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
Why?—because they hated knowledge, and they didn't choose to respect the Lord.
30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
They're not willing to accept my advice; they despise all my warnings.
31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
So they'll have to eat the fruit of their own choices, bloated by their own devious schemes.
32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
Stupid people are killed by their rebellion; foolish people are destroyed by their lack of concern.
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
But everyone who listens to me will be kept safe, and will live without worrying about problems.”
