Proverbs

(Pro 1:2) are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight;

(Pro 1:3) for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair;

(Pro 1:4) for endowing with caution those who don't think and the young person with knowledge and discretion.

(Pro 1:5) Someone who is already wise will hear and learn still more; someone who already understands will gain the ability to counsel well;

(Pro 1:6) he will understand proverbs, obscure expressions, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

(Pro 1:7) The fear of Adonai is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

(Pro 1:8) My son, heed the discipline of your father, and do not abandon the teaching of your mother;

(Pro 1:9) they will be a garland to grace your head, a medal of honor for your neck.

(Pro 1:10) My son, if sinners entice you, don't go along with them.

(Pro 1:11) Suppose they say, "Come with us: we'll ambush somebody and kill him, we'll waylay some harmless soul, just for fun;

(Pro 1:12) we'll swallow him alive, like Sh'ol, whole, like those who descend to the pit;

(Pro 1:13) we'll find everything he has of value, we'll fill our homes with loot!

(Pro 1:14) Throw in your lot with us; we'll share a common purse" —

(Pro 1:15) my son, don't go along with them, don't set foot on their path;

(Pro 1:16) their feet run to evil, they rush to shed blood.

(Pro 1:17) For in vain is the net baited if any bird can see it;

(Pro 1:18) rather, they are ambushing themselves to shed their own blood, waylaying themselves.

(Pro 1:19) So are the ways of all greedy for gain — it takes the lives of those who get it.

(Pro 1:20) Wisdom calls aloud in the open air and raises her voice in the public places;

(Pro 1:21) she calls out at streetcorners and speaks out at entrances to city gates:

(Pro 1:22) "How long, you whose lives have no purpose, will you love thoughtless living? How long will scorners find pleasure in mocking? How long will fools hate knowledge?

(Pro 1:23) Repent when I reprove — I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make my words known to you.

(Pro 1:24) Because you refused when I called, and no one paid attention when I put out my hand,

(Pro 1:25) but instead you neglected my counsel and would not accept my reproof;

(Pro 1:26) I, in turn, will laugh at your distress, and mock when terror comes over you —

(Pro 1:27) yes, when terror overtakes you like a storm and your disaster approaches like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble assail you.

(Pro 1:28) Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will seek me earnestly, but they won't find me.

(Pro 1:29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Adonai,

(Pro 1:30) they refused my counsel and despised my reproof.

(Pro 1:31) So they will bear the consequences of their own way and be overfilled with their own schemes.

(Pro 1:32) For the aimless wandering of the thoughtless will kill them, and the smug overconfidence of fools will destroy them;

(Pro 1:33) but those who pay attention to me will live securely, untroubled by fear of misfortune."

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