Proverbs 1:1-33 NLT

[1] These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. [2] Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. [3] Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. [4] These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. [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! [12] Let's swallow them alive, like the grave; let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. [13] Think of the great things we'll get! We'll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. [14] Come, throw in your lot with us; we'll all share the loot." [15] My child, don't go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. [16] They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. [17] If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. [18] But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. [19] Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. [20] Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. [21] She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: [22] "How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? [23] Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. [24] "I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. [25] You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. [26] So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you- [27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. [28] "When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. [29] For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. [30] They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. [31] Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. [32] For simpletons turn away from me-to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. [33] But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."