Proverbs 1:1-19

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

²to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

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

⁴to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

⁵that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

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

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

⁸My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

⁹for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

¹¹If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.

¹²Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

¹³We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

¹⁴You shall cast your lot amongst us. We’ll all have one purse”—

¹⁵my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

¹⁶for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

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

¹⁸but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

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