New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
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These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, Israel's king -
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
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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 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
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A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair;
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment 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 to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
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There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
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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 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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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 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
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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 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
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Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers.
10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!
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Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them.
11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!
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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 ; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
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Let's pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals.
13 Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.
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We'll load up on top-quality loot. We'll haul it home by the truckload.
14 Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll 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 child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.
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Oh, friend, don't give them a second look; don't listen to them for a minute.
16 They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder.
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They're racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
17 If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.
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Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching,
18 But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.
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Yet that's what these people are doing - they're doing themselves in.
19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.
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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 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out 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 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate:
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In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand. At the busiest corner she calls out:
22 “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you 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 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.
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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 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
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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 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
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"Since you laugh at my counsel and make a joke of my advice,
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster 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 engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress 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 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they 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 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD .
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"Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.
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Because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own 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 simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
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Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by 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."