2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a] knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b] 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. 11 If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; 12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”— 15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. 17 How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! 19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. Wisdom’s Rebuke 20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. 30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
3
A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
5
An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.
6
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7
Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9
Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12
There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13
Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
14
The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
15
The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16
The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
17
A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
18
The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
21
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
22
Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.
23
All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24
The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.
25
A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.
26
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.
27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
28
A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.
29
Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
30
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
31
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
34
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.
35
A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
