Chapter 1

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings;
for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;
for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man--
let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance--
for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Avoid the Path of the Violent

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching,
for they will be a garland of favor on your head and pendants around your neck.
My son, if sinners entice you, don't be persuaded.
If they say--"Come with us! Let's set an ambush and kill someone. Let's attack some innocent person just for fun!
Let's swallow them alive, like Sheol, whole, like those who go down to the Pit.
We'll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder.
Throw in your lot with us, and we'll all share the loot"--
my son, don't travel that road with them or set foot on their path,
because their feet run toward evil and they hurry to shed blood.
It is useless to spread a net where any bird can see it,
but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives.
Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it.

Wisdom's Plea

Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares.
She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
"How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?
If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.
Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention,
since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction,
I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you,
when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.
Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me.
Because they hated knowledge, didn't choose to fear the Lord,
were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction,
they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes.
For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger."