Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

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

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

2For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings;

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

3for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

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

4for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man--

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

5let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance--

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

6for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

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

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

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

8Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching,

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

9for they will be a garland of favor on your head and pendants around your neck.

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

10My son, if sinners entice you, don't be persuaded.

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

11If they say--"Come with us! Let's set an ambush and kill someone. Let's attack some innocent person just for fun!

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

12Let's swallow them alive, like Sheol, whole, like those who go down to the Pit.

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

13We'll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder.

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

14Throw in your lot with us, and we'll all share the loot"--

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

15my son, don't travel that road with them or set foot on their path,

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

16because their feet run toward evil and they hurry to shed blood.

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

17It is useless to spread a net where any bird can see it,

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

18but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives.

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

19Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it.

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

20Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares.

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

21She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

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

22"How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?

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

23If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.

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

24Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention,

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

25since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction,

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

26I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you,

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

27when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.

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

28Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me.

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

29Because they hated knowledge, didn't choose to fear the LORD,

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

30were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction,

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

31they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes.

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

32For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

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

33But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger."

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

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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.