Proverbs 1
The pursuit of wisdom and discipline is essential for understanding and making prudent decisions, and it begins with the fear of the Lord. A father advises his son to listen to his discipline and not be swayed by sinners who entice him to do evil, warning that their ways lead to destruction. Wisdom calls out to all, offering correction and guidance, but those who refuse to listen will ultimately suffer the consequences of their own actions. Those who heed wisdom's call, however, will find rest and abundance without fear of evil.
The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israelin order to know wisdom and disciplineto understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equityso as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescentsBy listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governmentsHe shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmasThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrineListen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your motherso that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neckMy son, if sinners should entice you, do not consent to themIf they should say: "Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without causeLet us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pitWe will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoilsCast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their pathsFor their feet rush to evil, and they hurry to shed bloodBut a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wingsLikewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own soulsThus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possessWisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streetsShe cries out at the head of crowds; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she offers her words, saying"Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledgeBe converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to youFor I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watchedYou have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukesSimilarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome youWhen sudden calamity rushes upon you, and your demise advances like a tempest, when tribulation and anguish overcome youthen they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find meFor they held hatred for discipline, and they would not accept the fear of the Lordthey would not consent to my counsel, but they detracted from all of my correctionsTherefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counselsThe loathing of the little ones shall destroy them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall perish themBut whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.
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