^{1 Ref} The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

^{2 Ref} To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

^{3 Ref} To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;

^{4 Ref} To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

^{5 Ref} That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

^{6 Ref} To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.

^{7 Ref} The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

^{8 Ref} My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:

^{9 Ref} For they will be a garland to grace your head, And chains around your neck.

^{10 Ref} My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.

^{11 Ref} If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

^{12 Ref} Let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down into the pit.

^{13 Ref} We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.

¹⁴ You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse."

^{15 Ref} My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,

^{16 Ref} For their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

^{17 Ref} For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

^{18 Ref} But these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

^{19 Ref} So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

^{20 Ref} Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

^{21 Ref} She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

^{22 Ref} "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, And fools hate knowledge?

^{23 Ref} Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

^{24 Ref} Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

^{25 Ref} But you have ignored all my counsel, And wanted none of my reproof;

^{26 Ref} I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

^{27 Ref} When calamity overtakes you like a storm, When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come on you.

^{28 Ref} Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

^{29 Ref} Because they hated knowledge, And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.

^{30 Ref} They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

^{31 Ref} Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.

^{32 Ref} For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

^{33 Ref} But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, And will be at ease, without fear of harm."