| 1:1 | The proverbs of Solomon, David's son who was king of Israel, given |
| 1:2 | to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts, |
| 1:3 | to acquire the discipline of wise behaviorrighteousness and justice and fairness |
| 1:4 | to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young |
| 1:5 | a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction |
| 1:6 | to understand a proverb and a clever saying, the words of wise people and their riddles. |
| 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline. |
| 1:8 | My son, listen to your father's discipline, and do not neglect your mother's teachings, |
| 1:9 | because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head and a golden chain around your neck. |
| 1:10 | My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along. |
| 1:11 | If they say, "Come with us. Let's set an ambush to kill someone. Let's hide to ambush innocent people for fun. |
| 1:12 | We'll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit. |
| 1:13 | We'll find all kinds of valuable possessions. We'll fill our homes with stolen goods. |
| 1:14 | Join us. We'll split the loot equally." |
| 1:15 | My son, do not follow them in their way. Do not even set foot on their path, |
| 1:16 | because they rush to do evil and hurry to shed blood. |
| 1:17 | It does no good to spread a net within the sight of any bird. |
| 1:18 | But these people set an ambush for their own murder. They go into hiding only to lose their lives. |
| 1:19 | This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life. |
| 1:20 | Wisdom sings her song in the streets. In the public squares she raises her voice. |
| 1:21 | At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. At the entrances to the city she speaks her words, |
| 1:22 | "How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? |
| 1:23 | "Turn to me when I warn you. I will generously pour out my spirit for you. I will make my words known to you. |
| 1:24 | "I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention. |
| 1:25 | You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you. |
| 1:26 | I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you, |
| 1:27 | when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you. |
| 1:28 | "They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me, |
| 1:29 | because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. |
| 1:30 | They refused my advice. They despised my every warning. |
| 1:31 | They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes. |
| 1:32 | "Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference. |
| 1:33 | But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster." |
Proverbs 1 - God's Word Translation
