Proverbs

Proverbs 1

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 guidanceISV — 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