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

1:2 That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight,
1:2 For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight,

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

1:4 that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth --
1:4 to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young--

1:5 the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill,
1:5 Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill,

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

1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;
1:8 Hear, my child, your father's instruction, and do not reject your mother's teaching;

1:9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
1:9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.

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

1:11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
1:11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us wantonly ambush the innocent;

1:12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
1:12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.

1:13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil;
1:13 We shall find all kinds of costly things; we shall fill our houses with booty.

1:14 throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse" --
1:14 Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"--

1:15 my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths;
1:15 my child, do not walk in their way, keep your foot from their paths;

1:16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
1:16 for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.

1:17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird;
1:17 For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on;

1:18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.
1:18 yet they lie in wait--to kill themselves! and set an ambush--for their own lives!

1:19 Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors.
1:19 Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

1:20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice;
1:20 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice.

1:21 on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
1:21 At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

1:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
1:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

1:23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.
1:23 Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.

1:24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
1:24 Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

1:25 and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
1:25 and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,
1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,

1:27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
1:27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.

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

1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

1:30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,
1:30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,

1:31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.
1:31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.

1:32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them;
1:32 For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

1:33 but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil."
1:33 but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster."