Proverbs 1:1-33 NIV
Proverbs 1:1-33 NIV [1] The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: [2] for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; [3] for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; [4] for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— [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. Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom [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; [12] let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; [13] we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; [14] cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”— [15] my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; [16] for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. [17] How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! [18] These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! [19] Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. [20] Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; [21] on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: [22] “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? [23] Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. [24] But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, [25] since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, [26] I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— [27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. [28] “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, [29] since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. [30] Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, [31] they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. [32] For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; [33] but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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