Proverbs 1

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Introduction

1 <1> These are the proverbs[1] of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel.[2] <2> They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. <3> They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. <4> These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. <5> Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. <6> These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.

<7> Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn.

Advice to a Son

<8> My son,[3] listen to your father when he corrects you, and don't ignore what your mother teaches you. <9> What you learn from your parents will bring you honor and respect, like a crown or a gold medal.[4]

<10> My son, those who love to do wrong will try to trick you. Don't listen to them. <11> They will say, "Come with us. Let's hide and beat to death anyone who happens to walk by. <12> We will swallow them whole, as the grave swallows the dying. <13> We will take everything they have and fill our houses with stolen goods. <14> So join us, and you can share everything we get."

<15> My son, don't follow them. Don't even take the first step along that path. <16> They run to do something evil, and they cannot wait to kill someone.

<17> You cannot trap birds with a net if they see you spreading it out. <18> But evil people cannot see the trap they set for themselves. <19> This is what happens to those who are greedy. Whatever they get destroys them.

The Good Woman-Wisdom

<20> Listen! Wisdom[5] is shouting in the streets. She is crying out in the marketplace. <21> She is calling out where the noisy crowd gathers:

<22> "Fools, how long will you love being ignorant? How long will you make fun of wisdom? How long will you hate knowledge? <23> I wanted to tell you everything I knew and give you all my knowledge, but you didn't listen to my advice and teaching.

<24> "I tried to help, but you refused to listen. I offered my hand, but you turned away from me. <25> You ignored my advice and refused to be corrected. <26> So I will laugh at your troubles and make fun of you when what you fear happens. <27> Disasters will strike you like a storm. Problems will pound you like a strong wind. Trouble and misery will weigh you down.

<28> "Fools will call for me, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me. <29> That is because they hated knowledge. They refused to fear and respect the Lord. <30> They ignored my advice and refused to be corrected. <31> They filled their lives with what they wanted. They went their own way, so they will get what they deserve.

<32> "Fools die because they refuse to follow wisdom. They are content to follow their foolish ways, and that will destroy them. <33> But those who listen to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear."