Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel.
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The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning.
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To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
3 They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair.
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To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful.
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To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:
5 These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated,
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That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
6 so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise.
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To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.
7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.
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The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.
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My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:
9 Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.
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For they will be a garland to grace your head, And chains around your neck.
10 My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in.
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My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.
11 Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it!
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If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them!
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Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down into the pit.
13 We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot!
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We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.
14 Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal."
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You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse."
15 My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them.
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My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16 They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill.
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For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17 It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching,
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For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:
18 but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die.
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These lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 Robbery always claims the life of the robber - this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.
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So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20 Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces,
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Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:
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She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 "Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn?
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"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?
23 Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you.
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Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24 I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me.
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Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.
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But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;
26 So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes -
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I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
27 when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery.
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When calamity overtakes you like a storm, When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come on you.
28 Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me.
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Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
29 You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord.
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Because they hated knowledge, And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.
30 You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.
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They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31 So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick.
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Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.
32 Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.
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For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid."
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But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.