Proverbs 1 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 1
[1] The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
[2] to know wisdom and instruction;
to discern the words of understanding;
[3] to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
[4] to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young man—
[5] that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
[6] to understand a proverb and parables,
the words and riddles of the wise. [7] The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge,
but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
[8] My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
[9] for they will be a garland to grace your head,
and chains around your neck.
[10] My son, if sinners entice you,
don’t consent.
[11] If they say, “Come with us.
Let’s lie in wait for blood.
Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
[12] Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol,
and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
[13] We’ll find all valuable wealth.
We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
[14] You shall cast your lot among us.
We’ll all have one purse”—
[15] my son, don’t walk on the path with them.
Keep your foot from their path,
[16] for their feet run to evil.
They hurry to shed blood.
[17] For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
[18] but these lay in wait for their own blood.
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
[19] So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
It takes away the life of its owners. [20] Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
She utters her voice in the public squares.
[21] She calls at the head of noisy places.
At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
[22] “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
and fools hate knowledge?
[23] Turn at my reproof.
Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make known my words to you.
[24] Because I have called, and you have refused;
I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
[25] but you have ignored all my counsel,
and wanted none of my reproof;
[26] I also will laugh at your disaster.
I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
[27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come on you.
[28] Then they will call on me, but I will not answer.
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
[29] because they hated knowledge,
and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
[30] They wanted none of my counsel.
They despised all my reproof.
[31] Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
and be filled with their own schemes.
[32] For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
[33] But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
[2] to know wisdom and instruction;
to discern the words of understanding;
[3] to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
[4] to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young man—
[5] that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
[6] to understand a proverb and parables,
the words and riddles of the wise. [7] The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge,
but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
[8] My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
[9] for they will be a garland to grace your head,
and chains around your neck.
[10] My son, if sinners entice you,
don’t consent.
[11] If they say, “Come with us.
Let’s lie in wait for blood.
Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
[12] Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol,
and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
[13] We’ll find all valuable wealth.
We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
[14] You shall cast your lot among us.
We’ll all have one purse”—
[15] my son, don’t walk on the path with them.
Keep your foot from their path,
[16] for their feet run to evil.
They hurry to shed blood.
[17] For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
[18] but these lay in wait for their own blood.
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
[19] So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
It takes away the life of its owners. [20] Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
She utters her voice in the public squares.
[21] She calls at the head of noisy places.
At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
[22] “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
and fools hate knowledge?
[23] Turn at my reproof.
Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make known my words to you.
[24] Because I have called, and you have refused;
I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
[25] but you have ignored all my counsel,
and wanted none of my reproof;
[26] I also will laugh at your disaster.
I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
[27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come on you.
[28] Then they will call on me, but I will not answer.
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,
[29] because they hated knowledge,
and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
[30] They wanted none of my counsel.
They despised all my reproof.
[31] Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
and be filled with their own schemes.
[32] For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
[33] But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”