| 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 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 lay 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 spoil. |
14 |
You shall cast your lot among us. We`ll all have one purse." |
15 |
My son, don`t walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, |
16 |
For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. |
17 |
For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: |
18 |
These lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. |
19 |
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of 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, 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 will they 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 Yahweh. |
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." |