Proverbs 1

Proverbs Chapter 1 ESV

1The use of the proverbs. 7An exhortation to fear God, and regard the advice of parents: 10and to avoid the enticings of sinners. 20Wisdom complaineth of the contempt of scorners: 24she threateneth them.
1 1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in 1righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to 1the simple, knowledge and 2discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and 1increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying, 1the words of the wise and their 2riddles.
7 1The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 1Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,
9 for they are 1a graceful garland for your head and 2pendants for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners 1entice you, do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us, 1let us lie in wait for blood; 2let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12 like Sheol let us 1swallow them alive, and whole, like 2those who go down to the pit;
13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”—
15 my son, 1do not walk in the way with them; 2hold back your foot from their paths,
16 for 1their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17 1For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,
18 but these men 1lie in wait for their own blood; they 2set an ambush for their own lives.
19 1Such are the ways of everyone who is 2greedy for unjust gain; 3it takes away the life of its possessors.
20 1Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at 1the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O 1simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will 2scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools 3hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof,a behold, I will 1pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24 1Because I have called and 2you refused to listen, have 3stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have 1ignored all my counsel and 2would have none of my reproof,
26 I also 1will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when 2terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like 1a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 1Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they 1hated knowledge and 2did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 1would have none of my counsel and 2despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat 1the fruit of their way, and have 2their fill of their own devices.
32 For the simple are killed by 1their turning away, and 2the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but 1whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be 2at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Proverbs 1

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