Proverbs 1 — BSB
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The Beginning of Knowledge
1Verse 1These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David,king of Israel,Verse 2for gaining wisdom and discipline,for comprehending words of insight,Verse 3and for receiving instruction in wise livingand in righteousness, justice, and equity.Verse 4To impart prudence to the simple+and knowledge and discretion to the young,Verse 5let the wise listen and gain instruction,and the discerning acquire wise counselVerse 6by understanding the proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise.Verse 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,but fools+despise wisdom and discipline.The Enticement of Sin
Verse 8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.Verse 9For they are a garland of grace on your headand a pendant around your neck.Verse 10My son, if sinners entice you,do not yield to them.Verse 11If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood,let us ambush the innocent without cause,Verse 12let us swallow them alive like Sheol,and whole like those descending into the Pit.Verse 13We will find all manner of precious goods;we will fill our houses with plunder.Verse 14Throw in your lot with us;let us all share one purse”—Verse 15my son, do not walk the road with themor set foot upon their path.Verse 16For their feet run to evil,and they are swift to shed blood.Verse 17How futile it is to spread the netwhere any bird can see it!Verse 18But they lie in wait for their own blood;they ambush their own lives.Verse 19Such is the fate of all who are greedy,whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.Wisdom Calls Aloud
Verse 20Wisdom calls out in the street,she lifts her voice in the square;Verse 21in the main concourse+she cries aloud,at the city gates she makes her speech:Verse 22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?How long will scoffers delight in their scornand fools hate knowledge?Verse 23If you had repented at my rebuke,then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you;
I would have made my words known to you.Verse 24Because you refused my call,and no one took my outstretched hand,Verse 25because you neglected all my counsel,and wanted none of my correction,Verse 26in turn I will mock your calamity;I will sneer when terror strikes you,Verse 27when your dread comes like a storm,and your destruction like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish overwhelm you.Verse 28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.Verse 29For they hated knowledgeand chose not to fear the LORD.Verse 30They accepted none of my counsel;they despised all my reproof.Verse 31So they will eat the fruit of their own way,and be filled with their own devices.Verse 32For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,and the complacency of fools will destroy them.Verse 33But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,secure from the fear of evil.”