Index: World English Bible

Proverbs 1

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1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

1:3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;

1:4 To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

1:5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

1:6 To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.

1:7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8 My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:

1:9 For they will be a garland to grace your head, And chains around your neck.

1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.

1:11 If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

1:12 Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down into the pit.

1:13 We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.

1:14 You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse."

1:15 My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,

1:16 For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

1:17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

1:18 But these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

1:19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

1:20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

1:21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?

1:23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

1:24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

1:25 But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;

1:26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

1:27 When calamity overtakes you like a storm, When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come on you.

1:28 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

1:29 Because they hated knowledge, And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.

1:30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

1:31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.

1:32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm."