[0] to execute on them the judgment written! This is glory for all his
faithful ones. Praise the LORD! [1] The proverbs of Solomon, son of David,
king of Israel: [2] That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand
words of insight, [3] receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness,
justice, and equity; [4] that prudence may be given to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth-- [5] the wise man also may hear and
increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, [6] to
understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise
wisdom and instruction. [8] Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and
reject not your mother's teaching; [9] for they are a fair garland for your
head, and pendants for your neck. [10] My son, if sinners entice you, do
not consent. [11] If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood,
let us wantonly ambush the innocent; [12] like Sheol let us swallow them
alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; [13] we shall find all
precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil; [14] throw in your lot
among us, we will all have one purse"-- [15] my son, do not walk in the way
with them, hold back your foot from their paths; [16] for their feet run to
evil, and they make haste to shed blood. [17] For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird; [18] but these men lie in wait for their own
blood, they set an ambush for their own lives. [19] Such are the ways of
all who get gain by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors.
[20] Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice;
[21] on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city
gates she speaks: [22] "How long, O simple ones, will you love being
simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate
knowledge? [23] Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my
thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. [24] Because I have
called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has
heeded, [25] and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my
reproof, [26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic
strikes you, [27] when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity
comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. [28] Then
they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently
but will not find me. [29] Because they hated knowledge and did not choose
the fear of the LORD, [30] would have none of my counsel, and despised all
my reproof, [31] therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be
sated with their own devices. [32] For the simple are killed by their
turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; [33] but he who
listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of
evil."