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Proverbs 1 - Good News Bible bible

Proverbs 1

¹The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel.

²Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning.

³They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair.

⁴They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful.

⁵These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated,

⁶so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise.

⁷To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the LORD. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.

⁸My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.

⁹Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.

¹⁰My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in.

¹¹Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it!

¹²They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them!

¹³We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot!

¹⁴Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal."

¹⁵My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them.

¹⁶They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill.

¹⁷It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching,

¹⁸but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die.

¹⁹Robbery always claims the life of the robber---this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.

²⁰Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces,

²¹calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:

²²"Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn?

²³Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you.

²⁴I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me.

²⁵You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.

²⁶So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes---

²⁷when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery.

²⁸Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me.

²⁹You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the LORD.

³⁰You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.

³¹So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick.

³²Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.

³³But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid."