Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3

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Proverbs 1

1 The proverbs of Solomon, David's son who was king of Israel, [given]

2 to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts,

3 to acquire the discipline of wise behavior-- righteousness and justice and fairness--

4 to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young--

5 a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction--

6 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. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.

8 My son, listen to your father's discipline, and do not neglect your mother's teachings,

9 because discipline and teachings are a graceful garland on your head and a [golden] chain around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along.

11 If they say, "Come with us. Let's set an ambush to kill someone. Let's hide to ambush innocent people for fun.

12 We'll swallow them alive like the grave, like those in good health who go into the pit.

13 We'll find all kinds of valuable possessions. We'll fill our homes with stolen goods.

14 Join us. We'll split the loot equally."

15 My son, do not follow them in their way. Do not even set foot on their path,

16 because they rush to do evil and hurry to shed blood.

17 It does no good to spread a net within the sight of any bird.

18 But these people set an ambush for their own murder. They go into hiding only to lose their lives.

19 This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life.

20 Wisdom sings her song in the streets. In the public squares she raises her voice.

21 At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. At the entrances to the city she speaks her words,

22 "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 "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 "I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.

25 You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you.

26 I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you,

27 when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you.

28 "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.

30 They refused my advice. They despised my every warning.

31 They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes.

32 "Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference.

33 But whoever listens to me will live without worry and will be free from the dread of disaster."

Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you take my words [to heart] and treasure my commands within you,

2 if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding,

3 if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,

4 if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God.

6 The LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He has reserved priceless wisdom for decent people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity

8 in order to guard those on paths of justice and to watch over the way of his godly ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good course [in life].

10 Wisdom will come into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Foresight will protect you. Understanding will guard you.

12 [Wisdom will] save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things,

13 from those who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk the ways of darkness,

14 from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who find joy in the deviousness of evil.

15 Their paths are crooked. Their ways are devious.

16 [Wisdom will] also save you from an adulterous woman, from a loose woman with her smooth talk,

17 who leaves [her husband,] the closest friend of her youth, and forgets her marriage vows to her God.

18 Her house sinks down to death. Her ways lead to the souls of the dead.

19 None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life.

20 So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people.

21 Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it.

22 But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it.

Proverbs 3

1 My son, do not forget my teachings, and keep my commands in mind,

2 because they will bring you long life, good years, and peace.

3 Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity.

5 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.

7 Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8 [Then] your body will be healed, and your bones will have nourishment.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first and best part of all your income.

10 Then your barns will be full, and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.

11 Do not reject the discipline of the LORD, my son, and do not resent his warning,

12 because the LORD warns the one he loves, even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.

14 The profit [gained] from [wisdom] is greater than the profit [gained] from silver. Its yield is better than fine gold.

15 [Wisdom] is more precious than jewels, and all your desires cannot equal it.

16 Long life is in [wisdom's] right hand. In [wisdom's] left hand are riches and honor.

17 [Wisdom's] ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths lead to peace.

18 [Wisdom] is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it are blessed.

19 By Wisdom the LORD laid the foundation of the earth. By understanding he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the deep waters were divided, and the skies dropped dew.

21 My son, do not lose sight of these things. Use priceless wisdom and foresight.

22 Then they will mean life for you, and they will grace your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way, and you will not hurt your foot.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.

26 The LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from getting caught.

27 Do not hold back anything good from those who are entitled to it when you have the power to do so.

28 When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor, "Go away! Come back tomorrow. I'll give you something then."

29 Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor while he is sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.

30 Do not quarrel with a person for no reason if he has not harmed you.

31 Do not envy a violent person. Do not choose any of his ways.

32 The devious person is disgusting to the LORD. The LORD's intimate advice is with decent people.

33 The LORD curses the house of wicked people, but he blesses the home of righteous people.

34 When he mocks the mockers, he is gracious to humble people.

35 Wise people will inherit honor, but fools will bear disgrace.

Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3

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Proverbs 1

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Proverbs 3