Proverbs 1

Purpose and Theme

The proverbs^a of Solomon^b son of David, king of Israel:^c

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,^d

knowledge and discretion^e to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,^f

and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,^g

the sayings and riddles^h of the wise.ⁱ

The fear of the Lord^j is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom^k and instruction.^l

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,^a to your father’s^b instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.^c

They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.^d

My son, if sinful men entice^e you,

do not give in^f to them.^g

If they say, “Come along with us;

let’s lie in wait^h for innocent blood,

let’s ambush some harmless soul;

let’s swallowⁱ them alive, like the grave,

and whole, like those who go down to the pit;^j

we will get all sorts of valuable things

and fill our houses with plunder;

cast lots with us;

we will all share the loot^k”—

my son, do not go along with them,

do not set foot^l on their paths;^m

for their feet rush into evil,ⁿ

they are swift to shed blood.^o

How useless to spread a net

where every bird can see it!

These men lie in wait^p for their own blood;

they ambush only themselves!^q

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;

it takes away the life of those who get it.^r

Wisdom’s Rebuke

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,^a

she raises her voice in the public square;

on top of the wall she cries out,

at the city gate she makes her speech:

“How long will you who are simple^b love your simple ways?

How long will mockers delight in mockery

and fools hate^c knowledge?

Repent at my rebuke!

Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,

I will make known to you my teachings.

But since you refuse^d to listen when I call^e

and no one pays attention^f when I stretch out my hand,

since you disregard all my advice

and do not accept my rebuke,

I in turn will laugh^g when disaster^h strikes you;

I will mockⁱ when calamity overtakes you^j—

when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

when disaster^k sweeps over you like a whirlwind,

when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer;^l

they will look for me but will not find me,^m

since they hated knowledge

and did not choose to fear the Lord.ⁿ

Since they would not accept my advice

and spurned my rebuke,^o

they will eat the fruit of their ways

and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.^p

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them;^q

but whoever listens to me will live in safety^r

and be at ease, without fear of harm.”^s