Proverbs 1:1-33 NCV

[1] These are the wise words of Solomon son of David, king of Israel. [2] They teach wisdom and self-control; they will help you understand wise words. [3] They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled and will teach you to do what is honest and fair and right. [4] They make the uneducated wise and give knowledge and sense to the young. [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. [12] Let's swallow them alive, as death does; let's swallow them whole, as the grave does. [13] We will take all kinds of valuable things and fill our houses with stolen goods. [14] Come join us, and we will share with you stolen goods." [15] My child, do not go along with them; do not do what they do. [16] They are eager to do evil and are quick to kill. [17] It is useless to spread out a net right where the birds can see it. [18] But sinners will fall into their own traps; they will only catch themselves! [19] All greedy people end up this way; greed kills selfish people. [20] Wisdom is like a woman shouting in the street; she raises her voice in the city squares. [21] She cries out in the noisy street and shouts at the city gates: [22] "You fools, how long will you be foolish? How long will you make fun of wisdom and hate knowledge? [23] If only you had listened when I corrected you, I would have told you what's in my heart; I would have told you what I am thinking. [24] I called, but you refused to listen; I held out my hand, but you paid no attention. [25] You did not follow my advice and did not listen when I corrected you. [26] So I will laugh when you are in trouble. I will make fun when disaster strikes you, [27] when disaster comes over you like a storm, when trouble strikes you like a whirlwind, when pain and trouble overwhelm you. [28] "Then you will call to me, but I will not answer. You will look for me, but you will not find me. [29] It is because you rejected knowledge and did not choose to respect the LORD. [30] You did not accept my advice, and you rejected my correction. [31] So you will get what you deserve; you will get what you planned for others. [32] Fools will die because they refuse to listen; they will be destroyed because they do not care. [33] But those who listen to me will live in safety and be at peace, without fear of injury."