Proverbs

Chapters:

1 2 3 4 5 6 …   ⇤ ← 1 → ⇥

verse #1

The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

verse #2

to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

verse #3

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

verse #4

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

verse #5

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

verse #6

to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

verse #7

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

verse #8

My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

verse #9

for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

verse #10

My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

verse #11

If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.

verse #12

Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

verse #13

We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

verse #14

You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—

verse #15

my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

verse #16

for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

verse #17

For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;

verse #18

but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

verse #19

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

verse #20

Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

verse #21

She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

verse #22

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

verse #23

Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

verse #24

Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

verse #25

but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

verse #26

I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,

verse #27

when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.

verse #28

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,

verse #29

because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.

verse #30

They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

verse #31

Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

verse #32

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

verse #33

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Chapters:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31