The Proverbs (WEB)

Proverbs

^1:1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

 ^1:2To know wisdom and instruction;
      To discern the words of understanding;

 ^1:3To receive instruction in wise dealing,
      In righteousness, justice, and equity;

 ^1:4To give prudence to the simple,
      Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

 ^1:5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
      That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

 ^1:6To understand a proverb, and parables,
      The words and riddles of the wise.

  ^1:7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
      But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

 ^1:8My son, listen to your father's instruction,
      And don't forsake your mother's teaching:

 ^1:9For they will be a garland to grace your head,
      And chains around your neck.

 ^1:10My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.

 ^1:11If they say, "Come with us,
      Let's lay in wait for blood;
      Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

 ^1:12Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol,
      And whole, like those who go down into the pit.

 ^1:13We'll find all valuable wealth.
      We'll fill our houses with spoil.

 ^1:14You shall cast your lot among us.
      We'll all have one purse."

 ^1:15My son, don't walk in the way with them.
      Keep your foot from their path,

 ^1:16For their feet run to evil.
      They hurry to shed blood.

 ^1:17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

 ^1:18These lay wait for their own blood.
      They lurk secretly for their own lives.

 ^1:19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain.
      It takes away the life of its owners.

  ^1:20Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
      She utters her voice in the public squares.

 ^1:21She calls at the head of noisy places.
      At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

 ^1:22"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
      How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
      And fools hate knowledge?

 ^1:23Turn at my reproof.
      Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
      I will make known my words to you.

 ^1:24Because I have called, and you have refused;
      I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

 ^1:25But you have ignored all my counsel,
      And wanted none of my reproof;

 ^1:26I also will laugh at your disaster.
      I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

 ^1:27When calamity overtakes you like a storm,
      When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;
      When distress and anguish come on you.

 ^1:28Then will they call on me, but I will not answer.
      They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

 ^1:29Because they hated knowledge,
      And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.

 ^1:30They wanted none of my counsel.
      They despised all my reproof.

 ^1:31Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
      And be filled with their own schemes.

 ^1:32For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
      The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

 ^1:33But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
      And will be at ease, without fear of harm."

World English Bible