Proverbs 1:1-33

Proverbs 1:1-33 [1]THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: [2]That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, [3]Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity, [4]That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth– [5]The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]–[Prov. 9:9.] [6]That people may understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation, and the words of the wise and their dark sayings or riddles. [7]The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps. 111:10.] [8]My son, hear the instruction of your father; reject not nor forsake the teaching of your mother. [9]For they are a [victor’s] chaplet (garland) of grace upon your head and chains and pendants [of gold worn by kings] for your neck. [10]My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. [Ps. 1:1; Eph. 5:11.] [11]If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain]; [12]Let us swallow them up alive as does Sheol (the place of the dead), and whole, as those who go down into the pit [of the dead]; [13]We shall find and take all kinds of precious goods [when our victims are put out of the way], we shall fill our houses with plunder; [14]Throw in your lot with us [they insist] and be a sworn brother and comrade; let us all have one purse in common– [15]My son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path; [16]For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. [17]For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird! [18]But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. [19]So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; such [greed for plunder] takes away the lives of its possessors. [Prov. 15:27; I Tim. 6:10.] [20]Wisdom cries aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the markets; [21]She cries at the head of the noisy intersections [in the chief gathering places]; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: [22]How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge? [23]If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. [Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17-20.] [24]Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it, [Isa. 65:11, 12; 66:4; Jer. 7:13, 14; Zech. 7:11-13.] [25]And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof, [26]I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic– [27]When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. [28]Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me. [Job 27:9; 35:12, 13; Isa. 1:15, 16; Jer. 11:11; Mic. 3:4; James 4:3.] [29]Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord, [Prov. 8:13.] [30]Would accept none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, [31]Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. [32]For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them. [Isa. 32:6.] [33]But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.