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