Proverbs 1

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

to know wisdom and instruction;

to receive instruction in wise dealing,

to give prudence to the simple,

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;

to understand a proverb, and parables,

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,

for they will be a garland to grace your head,

My son, if sinners entice you,

If they say, “Come with us.

Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol,

We’ll find all valuable wealth.

You shall cast your lot among us.

My son, don’t walk on the path with them.

for their feet run to evil.

For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

but these lay wait for their own blood.

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.

Wisdom calls aloud in the street.

She calls at the head of noisy places.

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?

Turn at my reproof.

Because I have called, and you have refused;

but you have ignored all my counsel,

I also will laugh at your disaster.

when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer.

because they hated knowledge,

They wanted none of my counsel.

Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,