Chapter 1

T¹hese are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, ²for gaining wisdom and discipline, ³and for receiving instruction in wise living ⁴To impart prudence to the simple

⁵let the wise listen and gain instruction, ⁶by understanding the proverbs and parables, ⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

L⁸isten, my son, to your father’s instruction, ⁹For they are a garland of grace on your head

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you, ¹¹If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, ¹²let us swallow them alive like Sheol, ¹³We will find all manner of precious goods; ¹⁴Throw in your lot with us;

¹⁵my son, do not walk the road with them ¹⁶For their feet run to evil, ¹⁷How futile it is to spread the net ¹⁸But they lie in wait for their own blood; ¹⁹Such is the fate of all who are greedy,

W²⁰isdom calls out in the street, ²¹in the main concourse she cries aloud, ²²“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? ²³If you had repented at my rebuke,

²⁴Because you refused my call, ²⁵because you neglected all my counsel, ²⁶in turn I will mock your calamity; ²⁷when your dread comes like a storm, ²⁸Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

²⁹For they hated knowledge ³⁰They accepted none of my counsel; ³¹So they will eat the fruit of their own way, ³²For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, ³³But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,