Proverbs 1:1–9

THE PURPOSE OF PROVERBS

1 The proverbs of Solomona son of David, king of Israel:

2 For learning wisdom and discipline;

for understanding insightful sayings;

3 for receiving prudent instruction

in righteousness, justice, and integrity;b

4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,A,c

knowledge and discretiond to a young man—

5 let a wise person listen and increase learning,e

and let a discerning person obtain guidance—

6 for understanding a proverb or a parable,B

the words of the wise, and their riddles.f

7 The fear of the Lord

is the beginning of knowledge;g

fools despise wisdom and discipline.h

AVOID THE PATH OF THE VIOLENT

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,

and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,i

9 for they will be a garlandj of favor on your head

and pendantsC around your neck.k