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.
1The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel2in order to know wisdom and discipline3to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity4so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents5By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments6He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine8Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother9so that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neck10My son, if sinners should entice you, do not consent to them11If they should say: "Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without cause12Let us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pit13We will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoils14Cast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.15My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their paths16For their feet rush to evil, and they hurry to shed blood17But a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wings18Likewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own souls19Thus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possess20Wisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streets21She cries out at the head of crowds; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she offers her words, saying22"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 knowledge23Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you24For I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watched25You have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukes26Similarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome you27When sudden calamity rushes upon you, and your demise advances like a tempest, when tribulation and anguish overcome you28then they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find me29For they held hatred for discipline, and they would not accept the fear of the Lord30they would not consent to my counsel, but they detracted from all of my corrections31Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counsels32The loathing of the little ones shall destroy them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall perish them33But whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.
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