Chapter 1

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

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  To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;  

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  To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;  

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  To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:  

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  That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:  

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  To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.  

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  The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.  

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  My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:  

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  For they will be a garland to grace your head, And chains around your neck.  

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  My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.  

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  If they say, 'Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;  

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  Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down into the pit.  

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  We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.  

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  You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse.'  

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  My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,  

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  For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.  

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

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  These lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.  

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  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain. It takes away the life of its owners.  

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  Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.  

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  She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:  

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  'How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?  

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  Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.  

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  Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;  

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  But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;  

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  I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;  

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  When calamity overtakes you like a storm, When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come on you.  

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  Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;  

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  Because they hated knowledge, And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.  

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  They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.  

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  Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.  

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  For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.  

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  But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm.'  

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