Proverbs 1:1-28 The Message (MSG)These are the wise sayings of Solomon,David’s son, Israel’s king—Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,to understand what life means and where it’s going;A manual for living,for learning what’s right and just and fair;To teach the inexperienced the ropesand give our young people a grasp on reality.There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.GODStart with GOD—the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD;only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.Wear their counsel like a winning crown,like rings on your fingers.Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,don’t go along with them.If they say—“Let’s go out and raise some hell.Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.Let’s pick them cleanand get them ready for their funerals.We’ll load up on top-quality loot.We’ll haul it home by the truckload.Join us for the time of your life!With us, it’s share and share alike!”—Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look;don’t listen to them for a minute.They’re racing to a very bad end,hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.Nobody robs a bankwith everyone watching,Yet that’s what these people are doing—they’re doing themselves in.When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens:the more you get, the less you are.Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts.At the town center she makes her speech.In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.At the busiest corner she calls out:“Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?About face! I can revise your life.Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you;I’m ready to tell you all I know.As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear;I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.“Since you laugh at my counseland make a joke of my advice,How can I take you seriously?I’ll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!What if the roof falls in,and your whole life goes to pieces?What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothingto show for your life but rubble and ashes?You’ll need me then. You’ll call for me, but don’t expect an answer.No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.
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Proverbs 1:6-25 King James Version (KJV)To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:But fools despise wisdom and instruction.My son, hear the instruction of thy father,And forsake not the law of thy mother:For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,And chains about thy neck.My son, if sinners entice thee,Consent thou not.If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood,Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:Let us swallow them up alive as the grave;And whole, as those that go down into the pit:We shall find all precious substance,We shall fill our houses with spoil:Cast in thy lot among us;Let us all have one purse:My son, walk not thou in the way with them;Refrain thy foot from their path:For their feet run to evil,And make haste to shed blood.Surely in vain the net is spreadIn the sight of any bird.And they lay wait for their own blood;They lurk privily for their own lives.So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;Which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.Wisdom crieth without;She uttereth her voice in the streets:She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates:In the city she uttereth her words, saying,How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?And the scorners delight in their scorning,And fools hate knowledge?Turn you at my reproof:Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,I will make known my words unto you.Because I have called, and ye refused;I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;But ye have set at nought all my counsel,And would none of my reproof
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Proverbs 1:6-25 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)To understand a proverb and a figure,The words of the wise and their riddles.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;Fools despise wisdom and instruction.Hear, my son, your father’s instructionAnd do not forsake your mother’s teaching;Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your headAnd ornaments about your neck.My son, if sinners entice you,Do not consent.If they say, “Come with us,Let us lie in wait for blood,Let us ambush the innocent without cause;Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;We will find all kinds of precious wealth,We will fill our houses with spoil;Throw in your lot with us,We shall all have one purse,”My son, do not walk in the way with them.Keep your feet from their path,For their feet run to evilAnd they hasten to shed blood.Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited netIn the sight of any bird;But they lie in wait for their own blood;They ambush their own lives.So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence;It takes away the life of its possessors.Wisdom shouts in the street,She lifts her voice in the square;At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?And scoffers delight themselves in scoffingAnd fools hate knowledge?Turn to my reproof,Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.Because I called and you refused,I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;And you neglected all my counselAnd did not want my reproof
Proverbs 1:6-25 New Century Version (NCV)Then anyone can understand wise words and stories,the words of the wise and their riddles.Knowledge begins with respect for the LORD,but fools hate wisdom and discipline.My child, listen to your father’s teachingand do not forget your mother’s advice.Their teaching will be like flowers in your hairor a necklace around your neck.My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin,do not follow them.They will say, “Come with us.Let’s ambush and kill someone;let’s attack some innocent people just for fun.Let’s swallow them alive, as death does;let’s swallow them whole, as the grave does.We will take all kinds of valuable thingsand fill our houses with stolen goods.Come join us,and we will share with you stolen goods.”My child, do not go along with them;do not do what they do.They are eager to do eviland are quick to kill.It is useless to spread out a netright where the birds can see it.But sinners will fall into their own traps;they will only catch themselves!All greedy people end up this way;greed kills selfish people.Wisdom is like a woman shouting in the street;she raises her voice in the city squares.She cries out in the noisy streetand shouts at the city gates:“You fools, how long will you be foolish?How long will you make fun of wisdomand hate knowledge?If only you had listened when I corrected you,I would have told you what’s in my heart;I would have told you what I am thinking.I called, but you refused to listen;I held out my hand, but you paid no attention.You did not follow my adviceand did not listen when I corrected you.
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Proverbs 1:6-25 American Standard Version (ASV)To understand a proverb, and a figure,The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge;But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.My son, hear the instruction of thy father,And forsake not the law of thy mother:For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,And chains about thy neck.My son, if sinners entice thee,Consent thou not.If they say, Come with us,Let us lay wait for blood;Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol,And whole, as those that go down into the pit;We shall find all precious substance;We shall fill our houses with spoil;Thou shalt cast thy lot among us;We will all have one purse:My son, walk not thou in the way with them;Refrain thy foot from their path:For their feet run to evil,And they make haste to shed blood.For in vain is the net spreadIn the sight of any bird:And these lay wait for their own blood;They lurk privily for their own lives.So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.Wisdom crieth aloud in the street;She uttereth her voice in the broad places;She crieth in the chief place of concourse;At the entrance of the gates,In the city, she uttereth her words:How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?And scoffers delight them in scoffing,And fools hate knowledge?Turn you at my reproof:Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you;I will make known my words unto you.Because I have called, and ye have refused;I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded;But ye have set at nought all my counsel,And would none of my reproof
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Proverbs 1:6-25 New International Version (NIV)for understanding proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and instruction.Listen, my son, to your father’s instructionand do not forsake your mother’s teaching.They are a garland to grace your headand a chain to adorn your neck.My son, if sinful men entice you,do not give in to them.If they say, “Come along with us;let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,let’s ambush some harmless soul;let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,and whole, like those who go down to the pit;we will get all sorts of valuable thingsand fill our houses with plunder;cast lots with us;we will all share the loot”—my son, do not go along with them,do not set foot on their paths;for their feet rush into evil,they are swift to shed blood.How useless to spread a netwhere every bird can see it!These men lie in wait for their own blood;they ambush only themselves!Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;it takes away the life of those who get it.Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,she raises her voice in the public square;on top of the wall she cries out,at the city gate she makes her speech:“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?How long will mockers delight in mockeryand fools hate knowledge?Repent at my rebuke!Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,I will make known to you my teachings.But since you refuse to listen when I calland no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,since you disregard all my adviceand do not accept my rebuke
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Proverbs 1:6-25 New King James Version (NKJV)To understand a proverb and an enigma,The words of the wise and their riddles.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,But fools despise wisdom and instruction.My son, hear the instruction of your father,And do not forsake the law of your mother;For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,And chains about your neck.My son, if sinners entice you,Do not consent.If they say, “Come with us,Let us lie in wait to shed blood;Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,We shall fill our houses with spoil;Cast in your lot among us,Let us all have one purse”—My son, do not walk in the way with them,Keep your foot from their path;For their feet run to evil,And they make haste to shed blood.Surely, in vain the net is spreadIn the sight of any bird;But they lie in wait for their own blood,They lurk secretly for their own lives.So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;It takes away the life of its owners.Wisdom calls aloud outside;She raises her voice in the open squares.She cries out in the chief concourses,At the openings of the gates in the cityShe speaks her words:“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?For scorners delight in their scorning,And fools hate knowledge.Turn at my rebuke;Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.Because I have called and you refused,I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,Because you disdained all my counsel,And would have none of my rebuke
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Proverbs 1:6-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)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].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.My son, hear the instruction of your father,And do not reject the teaching of your mother.For they are a garland of grace on your head,And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.My son, if sinners entice you,Do not consent.If they say, “Come with us;Let us lie in wait to shed blood,Let us ambush the innocent without cause;Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead),Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions,We will fill our houses with spoil;Throw in your lot with us [they insist];We will all have one money bag [in common],”My son, do not walk on the road with them;Keep your foot [far] away from their path,For their feet run to evil,And they hurry to shed blood.Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited netIn the sight of any bird;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].So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.Wisdom shouts in the street,She raises her voice in the markets;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:“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?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.Because I called and you refused [to answer],I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];And you treated all my counsel as nothingAnd would not accept my reprimand
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Proverbs 1:6-25 New Living Translation (NLT)by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,the words of the wise and their riddles.Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline.My child, listen when your father corrects you.Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.What you learn from them will crown you with graceand be a chain of honor around your neck.My child, if sinners entice you,turn your back on them!They may say, “Come and join us.Let’s hide and kill someone!Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave;let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.Think of the great things we’ll get!We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.Come, throw in your lot with us;we’ll all share the loot.”My child, don’t go along with them!Stay far away from their paths.They rush to commit evil deeds.They hurry to commit murder.If a bird sees a trap being set,it knows to stay away.But these people set an ambush for themselves;they are trying to get themselves killed.Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;it robs them of life.Wisdom shouts in the streets.She cries out in the public square.She calls to the crowds along the main street,to those gathered in front of the city gate:“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?Come and listen to my counsel.I’ll share my heart with youand make you wise.“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.You ignored my adviceand rejected the correction I offered.
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Proverbs 1:6-25 The Passion Translation (TPT)These kingdom revelations will break open your understandingto unveil the deeper meaning of parables,poetic riddles, and epigrams,and to unravel the words and enigmas of the wise.We cross the threshold of true knowledgewhen we live in obedient devotion to God.Stubborn know-it-alls will never stop to do this,for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge.Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise wordsand never forget your mother’s instructions.For their insight will bring you success,adorning you with grace-filled thoughtsand giving you reins to guide your decisions.When peer pressure compels you to go with the crowdand sinners invite you to join in,you must simply say, “No!”When the gang says—“We’re going to steal and kill and get away with it.We’ll take down the rich and rob them.We’ll swallow them up aliveand take what we want from whomever we want.Then we’ll take their treasures and fill our homes with loot.So come on and join us.Take your chance with us.We’ll divide up all we get;we’ll each end up with big bags of cash!”—my son, refuse to go with them and stay far away from them.For crime is their way of life and bloodshed their specialty.To be aware of their snare is the best way of escape.They’ll resort to murder to steal their victim’s assets,but eventually it will be their own lives that are ambushed.In their ungodly disrespect for Godthey bring destruction on their own lives.Wisdom’s praises are sung in the streetsand celebrated far and wide.Yet wisdom’s song is not always heard in the halls of higher learning.But in the hustle and bustle of everyday lifeits lyrics can always be heard above the din of the crowd.You will hear wisdom’s warning as she preaches courageouslyto those who stop to listen:“Foolish ones, how much longer will you cling to your deception?How much longer will you mock wisdom,you cynical scorners who fight the facts?Come back to your senses and be restored to reality.Don’t even think about refusing my rebuke!Don’t you know that I’m readyto pour out my spirit of wisdom upon youand bring to you the revelation of my wordsthat will make your heart wise?I’ve called to you over and over;still you refuse to come to me.I’ve pleaded with you again and again,yet you’ve turned a deaf ear to my voice.Because you have laughed at my counseland have insisted on continuing in your stubbornness
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Proverbs 1:6-25 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)to understand a proverb and a saying,the words of the wise and their riddles.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction.Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,and forsake not your mother’s teaching,for they are a graceful garland for your headand pendants for your neck.My son, if sinners entice you,do not consent.If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;let us ambush the innocent without reason;like Sheol let us swallow them alive,and whole, like those who go down to the pit;we shall find all precious goods,we shall fill our houses with plunder;throw in your lot among us;we will all have one purse”—my son, do not walk in the way with them;hold back your foot from their paths,for their feet run to evil,and they make haste to shed blood.For in vain is a net spreadin the sight of any bird,but these men lie in wait for their own blood;they set an ambush for their own lives.Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;it takes away the life of its possessors.Wisdom cries aloud in the street,in the markets she raises her voice;at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?How long will scoffers delight in their scoffingand fools hate knowledge?If you turn at my reproof,behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;I will make my words known to you.Because I have called and you refused to listen,have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,because you have ignored all my counseland would have none of my reproof
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Proverbs 1:6-25
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