Proverbs 1:5–11

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

9 They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,

do not give in to them.

11 If they say, “Come along with us;

let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,

let’s ambush some harmless soul;

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

6 to understand a proverb and a saying,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

9 for they are a graceful garland for your head

and pendants for your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent without reason;

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father,

And forsake not the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,

And chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee,

Consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood,

Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

8 My child, listen when your father corrects you.

Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck.

10 My child, if sinners entice you,

turn your back on them!

11 They may say, “Come and join us.

Let’s hide and kill someone!

Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

5 Wise people can also listen and learn;

even they can find good advice in these words.

6 Then anyone can understand wise words and stories,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 Knowledge begins with respect for the Lord,

but fools hate wisdom and discipline.

8 My child, listen to your father’s teaching

and do not forget your mother’s advice.

9 Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair

or a necklace around your neck.

10 My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin,

do not follow them.

11 They will say, “Come with us.

Let’s ambush and kill someone;

let’s attack some innocent people just for fun.

5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;

And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and a figure,

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge;

But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father,

And forsake not the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,

And chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee,

Consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us,

Let us lay wait for blood;

Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;

5 He that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels: 6 to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.

7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother; 9 for they shall be a garland of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

5 a wise person will listen and continue to learn, 

and an understanding person will gain direction— 

6 to understand a proverb and a clever saying, 

the words of wise people and their riddles. 

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 

Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline. 

8 My son, 

listen to your father’s discipline, 

and do not neglect your mother’s teachings, 

9 because discipline and teachings 

are a graceful garland on your head 

and a ⸤golden⸥ chain around your neck. 

10 My son, 

if sinners lure you, do not go along. 

11 If they say, 

“Come with us. 

Let’s set an ambush to kill someone. 

Let’s hide to ambush innocent people for fun. 

5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning,

and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

6 for understanding a proverb or a parable,

the words of the wise, and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord

is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and discipline.

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

and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,

9 for they will be a garland of grace on your head

and a gold chain around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

don’t be persuaded.

11 If they say—“Come with us!

Let’s set an ambush and kill someone.

Let’s attack some innocent person just for fun!

5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning

and the discerning acquire skill,

6 to understand a proverb and a figure,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

and do not reject your mother’s teaching,

9 for they are a fair garland for your head

and pendants for your neck.

10 My child, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us wantonly ambush the innocent;

5 may the wise hear and increase learning,

and the one who understands gain direction,

6 to understand a proverb and an expression,

words of wisdom and their riddles.

7 Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;

wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

8 My child, may you keep your father’s instruction,

and do not reject your mother’s teachings,

9 for they are a garland of favor for your head,

and pendants for your neck.

10 My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

11 If they say,

“Come with us!

We shall lie in wait for blood;

we shall ambush the innocent without cause.

5 Let wise people listen and add to what they have learned.

Let those who understand what is right get guidance.

6 What I’m teaching also helps you understand proverbs and stories.

It helps you understand the sayings and riddles of those who are wise.

7 If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord.

But foolish people hate wisdom and training.

8 My son, listen to your father’s advice.

Don’t turn away from your mother’s teaching.

9 What they teach you will be like a beautiful crown on your head.

It will be like a chain to decorate your neck.

10 My son, if sinners tempt you,

don’t give in to them.

11 They might say, “Come along with us.

Let’s hide and wait to spill someone’s blood.

Let’s catch some harmless people in our trap.

5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction

And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head

And ornaments about your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

Do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us,

Let us lie in wait for blood,

Let us ambush the innocent without cause;