1 T he proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

2 t o know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

3 t o receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

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

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

6 t o understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

7 T he fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

8 M y son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:

9 f or they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

10 M y son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

11 I f they say, “Come with us, Let’s lay in wait for blood; let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

12 l et’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

13 W e’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

14 Y ou shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse.”

15 M y son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

16 f or their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

17 F or in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

18 b ut these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

19 S o are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

20 W isdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

21 S he calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

22 “ How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

23 T urn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

24 B ecause I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

25 b ut you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

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

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

28 T hen will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

29 b ecause they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.

30 T hey wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

31 T herefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

32 F or the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

33 B ut whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”