1 The proverbs 0f Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction. To discern and understand words.

3 To receive instruction with wisdom, justice, judgment and integrity.

4 To give wisdom and refinement to the simple. To the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear and will increase learning. A man of understanding will procure wise counsel.

6 This will help him understand a proverb and the interpretation as well as the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 Respect for Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge truthunderstandingwisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, listen to the instruction of your father. Do not forsake the law of your mother.

9 Discipline and education are a graceful ornament on your head, and a golden chain around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners tempt you do not consent.

11 If they say: »Come with us. Let us lie in wait to kill someone. Let us ambush the innocent without cause.

12 »Let us swallow them alive and whole just as the grave does, and just as the dead go into the pit.

13 »We will find precious material possessions and we fill our houses with plunder.

14 »Throw in with us. Let us all have one purse.«

15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Withhold your food from their path!

16 For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 They lie in wait for their own blood murder. They set an ambush for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust dishonest gain. Greed takes away the life of its owner.

20 Wisdom calls you! She raises her voice in the streets and marketplaces.

21 She calls in the streets, in the opening of the gates: in the city she utters her words. She says:

22 »How long, you simple stupidfoolish ones, will you love simplicity foolishnessstupidity? The scoffers delight in scoffing. Fools hate knowledge!

23 »Listen when I reprove you. I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you.

24 »I called you! I stretched out my hand to you. You paid no attention to me.

25 »You have ignored all my counsel. You accept no correction.

26 »I also will laugh at your trouble. I will mock when your fear comes.

27 »Trouble and distress will surround you like a whirlwind, like a great storm.

28 »You will ask for my help, but I will not listen. You will search, but you will not find me.

29 »You have no use for knowledge and you refuse to respect Jehovah.

30 »You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.

31 »Now you will get what you deserve for what you have done. Your own advice will make you sick.

32 »Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools.

33 »Whoever listens to me will be secure and will be free from the fear of evil.«