English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

1These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

2To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

2Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

3to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

3Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—

4These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

5Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

5Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance

6to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

6by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

7Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

8Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

8My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

9What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.

10My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

10My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!

11If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;

11They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

12like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

12Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave ; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

13we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder;

13Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

14throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”—

14Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.”

15my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,

15My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.

16for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

16They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder.

17For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,

17If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.

18but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.

18But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.

19Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

19Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. Wisdom Shouts in the Streets

20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

20Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.

21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

21She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate:

22“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

22“How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?

23If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

23Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.

24Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

24“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

25because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

25You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

26So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—

27when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.

27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

28“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

29For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.

30would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,

30They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.

31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.

31Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.

32For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

32For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

33but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

33But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.