New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
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These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, Israel's king -
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
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Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it's going;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
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A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,knowledge and discretion to the young—
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To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality.
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
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There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
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still a thing or two for the experienced to learn - Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. Start with God
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
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Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.
9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
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Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
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Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them.
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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If they say - "Let's go out and raise some hell. Let's beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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Let's pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals.
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
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We'll load up on top-quality loot. We'll haul it home by the truckload.
14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—
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Join us for the time of your life! With us, it's share and share alike!" -
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
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Oh, friend, don't give them a second look; don't listen to them for a minute.
16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.
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They're racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
17 How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!
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Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching,
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
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Yet that's what these people are doing - they're doing themselves in.
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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When you grab all you can get, that's what happens: the more you get, the less you are. Lady Wisdom
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;
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Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts. At the town center she makes her speech.
21 on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
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In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand. At the busiest corner she calls out:
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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"Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to 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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About face! I can revise your life. Look, I'm ready to pour out my spirit on you; I'm ready to tell you all I know.
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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As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear; I've reached out to you, but you've ignored me.
25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
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"Since you laugh at my counsel and make a joke of my advice,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
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How can I take you seriously? I'll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
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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What if the roof falls in, and your whole life goes to pieces? What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
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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You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, you won't find me.
29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.
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"Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
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Because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
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Well, you've made your bed - now lie in it; you wanted your own way - now, how do you like it?
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
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Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy - you're in good hands."
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.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.