Proverbs 1

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