New International Version NIV
Good News Translation GNT
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
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The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel.
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
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Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning.
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
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They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair.
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,knowledge and discretion to the young—
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They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful.
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
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These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated,
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
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so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
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My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.
9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
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Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
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My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in.
11 If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul;
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Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it!
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them!
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
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We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot!
14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—
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Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal."
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
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My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them.
16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.
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They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill.
17 How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!
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It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching,
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
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but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die.
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
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Robbery always claims the life of the robber - this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;
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Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces,
21 on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
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calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
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"Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn?
23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
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Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
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I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me.
25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
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You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
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So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes -
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
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when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
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Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me.
29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.
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You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord.
30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
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You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
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So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
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Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.