1 The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel. ISV — Proverbs 1:1
2 These proverbs are a1:2 The Heb. lacks These proverbs are for gaining b1:2 Or knowing wisdom and discipline; c1:2 Or instruction for understanding words of insight; ISV — Proverbs 1:2
3 for acquiring the discipline d1:3 Or instruction that produces wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and upright living; e1:3 Lit. and uprightness ISV — Proverbs 1:3
4 for giving prudence to the naïve, and knowledge and discretion to the young. ISV — Proverbs 1:4
5 Let the wise listen and increase their f1:5 The Heb. lacks their learning; let the person of understanding receive guidance ISV — Proverbs 1:5
6 in understanding proverbs, clever sayings, words of the wise, and their riddles. ISV — Proverbs 1:6
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. g1:7 Or instruction ISV — Proverbs 1:7
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and do not let go of your mother’s teaching. ISV — Proverbs 1:8
9 They will be a graceful wreath for your head and a chain for your neck. ISV — Proverbs 1:9
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. ISV — Proverbs 1:10
11 If they say, “Come with us! Let’s lie in wait for blood; let’s ambush some innocent person for no reason at all. ISV — Proverbs 1:11
12 Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol, h1:12 i.e. the realm of the dead; possibly an allusion to the rebellion of Korah (cf. Num 16:33) and whole like those who go down into the Pit. i1:12 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife ISV — Proverbs 1:12
13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable wealth, and we’ll fill our houses with spoil. ISV — Proverbs 1:13
14 Throw your lot in with us, and all of us will have one purse.” ISV — Proverbs 1:14
15 My son, do not go along with them, j1:15 Lit. in the way with them and keep your feet away from their paths! ISV — Proverbs 1:15
16 For they k1:16 Lit. For their feet run toward evil; these enticers l1:16 Lit. they shed blood without hesitation. m1:16 Lit. blood quickly ISV — Proverbs 1:16
17 Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of n1:17 Lit. in the eyes of all the birds, ISV — Proverbs 1:17
18 but these people o1:18 Lit. they lie in wait for their own blood. p1:18 The Heb. lacks their own They ambush only themselves. ISV — Proverbs 1:18
19 Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain— it takes away the lives of those who possess it. ISV — Proverbs 1:19
20 Wisdom cries out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares. ISV — Proverbs 1:20
21 She calls out at the busiest part q1:21 Lit. head of the noisy streets, r1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read and on top of the walls and at the entrance to the gates of the city she utters her words: ISV — Proverbs 1:21
22 “You naïve ones, how long will you love naiveté? And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing or fools hate knowledge?” ISV — Proverbs 1:22
23 Return to my correction! Look, I will pour out my spirit on you, and I will make my words known to you. ISV — Proverbs 1:23
24 “Because I called out to you and you refused to respond— s1:24 Lit. you refused I appealed, t1:24 Lit. I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention— ISV — Proverbs 1:24
25 because u1:25 The Heb. lacks because you neglected all my advice and did not want my correction, ISV — Proverbs 1:25
26 I will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when what you fear v1:26 Lit. when your fear comes, ISV — Proverbs 1:26
27 when what you dread comes like a storm, and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ISV — Proverbs 1:27
28 “Then they will call out to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. ISV — Proverbs 1:28
29 “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD; ISV — Proverbs 1:29
30 they did not want my advice, and they rejected all my correction. ISV — Proverbs 1:30
31 They will eat the fruit w1:31 i.e. experience the consequences of their way, and they will be filled with their own devices. ISV — Proverbs 1:31
32 Indeed, the waywardness x1:32 So MT; DSS 4QProv reads narrow-mindedness; lit. the pull of; LXX reads Because they would wrong the naïve, they will be murdered of the naïve will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. ISV — Proverbs 1:32
33 “But the person who listens to me will live safely and will be secure from the fear of evil.” ISV — Proverbs 1:33