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1:1  The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
1:2  To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
1:3  To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
1:4  That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,
1:5  The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],
1:6  To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation, And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].
1:7  The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
1:8  My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
1:9  For they are a garland of grace on your head, And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.
1:10  My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
1:11  If they say, “Come with us; Let us lie in wait to shed blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause;
1:12  Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead), Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];
1:13  We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions, We will fill our houses with spoil;
1:14  Throw in your lot with us [they insist]; We will all have one money bag [in common],”
1:15  My son, do not walk on the road with them; Keep your foot [far] away from their path,
1:16  For their feet run to evil, And they hurry to shed blood.
1:17  Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;
1:18  But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].
1:19  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.
1:20  Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets;
1:21  She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:
1:22  “How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?
1:23  “If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
1:24  “Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];
1:25  And you treated all my counsel as nothing And would not accept my reprimand,
1:26  I also will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread and panic come,
1:27  When your dread and panic come like a storm, And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].
1:28  “Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,
1:29  Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],
1:30  They would not accept my counsel, And they spurned all my rebuke.
1:31  “Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.
1:32  “For the turning away of the naive will kill them, And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.
1:33  “But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”