NHEB - Proverbs - 1

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

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

1:3  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

1:4  to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:

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

1:6  to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

1:7  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8  My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching:

1:9  for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

1:10  My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

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

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

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

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

1:15  My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,

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

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

1:18  but these lie in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

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

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

1:21  She 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?

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

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

1:25  but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

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

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

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

1:29  because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

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

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

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

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