Proverbs 1:1-11 ▼

1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 For knowing wisdom and instruction, || For understanding sayings of intelligence,

3 For receiving the instruction of wisdom, || Righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,

4 For giving to simple ones—prudence, || To a youth—knowledge and discretion.

5 (The wise hear and increase learning, || And the intelligent obtain counsels.)

6 For understanding a proverb and its sweetness, || Words of the wise and their acute sayings.

7 Fear of YHWH [is the] beginning of knowledge, || Fools have despised wisdom and instruction!

8 Hear, my son, the instruction of your father, || And do not leave the law of your mother,

9 For they [are] a graceful wreath to your head, || And chains to your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not be willing.

11 If they say, “Come with us, we lay wait for blood, || We watch secretly for the innocent without cause,