1The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: | 1The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: |
2To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. | 2To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. |
3To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity. | 3To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity. |
4To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. | 4To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. |
5(Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) | 5(Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) |
6To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. | 6To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. |
7Fearing the LORD is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. | 7Fearing the LORD is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. |
8Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother. | 8Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother. |
9For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck. | 9For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck. |
10My child, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent! | 10My child, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent! |
11If they say, "Come with us! We will lie in wait to shed blood; we will ambush an innocent person capriciously. | 11If they say, "Come with us! We will lie in wait to shed blood; we will ambush an innocent person capriciously. |
12We will swallow them alive like Sheol, those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit. | 12We will swallow them alive like Sheol, those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit. |
13We will seize all kinds of precious wealth; we will fill our houses with plunder. | 13We will seize all kinds of precious wealth; we will fill our houses with plunder. |
14Join with us! We will all share equally in what we steal." | 14Join with us! We will all share equally in what we steal." |
15My child, do not go down their way, withhold yourself from their path; | 15My child, do not go down their way, withhold yourself from their path; |
16for they are eager to inflict harm, and they hasten to shed blood. | 16for they are eager to inflict harm, and they hasten to shed blood. |
17Surely it is futile to spread a net in plain sight of any bird, | 17Surely it is futile to spread a net in plain sight of any bird, |
18but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they ambush their own lives! | 18but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they ambush their own lives! |
19Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it! | 19Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it! |
20Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas; | 20Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas; |
21at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words: | 21at the head of the noisy streets she calls, in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words: |
22"How long will you simpletons love naivete? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? | 22"How long will you simpletons love naivete? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? |
23If only you will respond to my rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make my words known to you. | 23If only you will respond to my rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make my words known to you. |
24However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention, | 24However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention, |
25because you neglected all my advice, and did not comply with my rebuke, | 25because you neglected all my advice, and did not comply with my rebuke, |
26so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes, | 26so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes, |
27when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you. | 27when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you. |
28Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me. | 28Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me. |
29Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the LORD, | 29Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the LORD, |
30they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke. | 30they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke. |
31Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel. | 31Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel. |
32For the waywardness of the simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them. | 32For the waywardness of the simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them. |
33But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm. | 33But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm. |
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