Proverbs 1:1-19 ▼

1 The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, who reigned in Israel;

2 to know wisdom and instruction, and to perceive words of understanding;

3 to receive also hard saying, and to understand true justice, and how to direct judgement;

4 that he might give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man discernment and understanding.

5 For by the hearing of these a wise man will be wiser, and man of understanding will gain direction;

6 and will understand a parable, and a dark speech; the saying of the wise also, and riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practise it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and reject not the rules of thy mother.

9 For thou shalt receive for thine head a crown of graces, and a chain of gold round thy neck.

10 My son, let not ungodly men lead thee astray, neither consent thou to them .

11 If they should exhort thee, saying, Come with us, partake in blood, and let us unjustly hide the just man in the earth:

12 and let us swallow him alive, as Hades would , and remove the memorial of him from the earth:

13 let us seize on his valuable property, and let us fill our houses with spoils:

14 but do thou cast in thy lot with us, and let us all provide a common purse, and let us have one pouch:

15 go not in the way with them, but turn aside thy foot from their paths:

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17 for nets are not without cause spread for birds.

18 For they that are concerned in murder store up evils for themselves; and the overthrow of transgressors is evil.

19 These are the ways of all that perform lawless deeds; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life.