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1:1  These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.
1:2  Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
1:3  Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
1:4  These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
1:5  Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
1:6  by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
1:7  Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
1:8  My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction.
1:9  What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
1:10  My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!
1:11  They may say, "Come and join us. Let's hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let's ambush the innocent!
1:12  Let's swallow them alive, like the grave; let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.
1:13  Think of the great things we'll get! We'll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.
1:14  Come, throw in your lot with us; we'll all share the loot."
1:15  My child, don't go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.
1:16  They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder.
1:17  If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.
1:18  But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed.
1:19  Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.
1:20  Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
1:21  She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate:
1:22  "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?
1:23  Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise.
1:24  "I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
1:25  You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
1:26  So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you--
1:27  when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.
1:28  "When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
1:29  For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
1:30  They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.
1:31  Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.
1:32  For simpletons turn away from me--to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
1:33  But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."