Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
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The proverbs of Solomon, David's son who was king of Israel, [given]
2 That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight,
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to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts,
3 receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;
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to acquire the discipline of wise behavior-- righteousness and justice and fairness--
4 that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--
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to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young--
5 the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill,
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a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction--
6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
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to understand a proverb and a clever saying, the words of wise people and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;
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My son, listen to your father's discipline, and do not neglect your mother's teachings,
9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
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because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head and a [golden] chain around your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
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My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along.
11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
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If they say, "Come with us. Let's set an ambush to kill someone. Let's hide to ambush innocent people for fun.
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
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We'll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit.
13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil;
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We'll find all kinds of valuable possessions. We'll fill our homes with stolen goods.
14 throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse" --
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Join us. We'll split the loot equally."
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths;
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My son, do not follow them in their way. Do not even set foot on their path,
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
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because they rush to do evil and hurry to shed blood.
17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird;
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It does no good to spread a net within the sight of any bird.
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.
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But these people set an ambush for their own murder. They go into hiding only to lose their lives.
19 Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors.
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This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice;
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Wisdom sings her song in the streets. In the public squares she raises her voice.
21 on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
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At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. At the entrances to the city she speaks her words,
22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
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"How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?
23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.
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"Turn to me when I warn you. I will generously pour out my spirit for you. I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
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"I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.
25 and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
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You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you.
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,
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I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you,
27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
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when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
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"They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
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because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,
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They refused my advice. They despised my every warning.
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.
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They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes.
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them;
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"Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference.
33 but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil."
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But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.