Study Desk

The proverbs of Solomon^(a) son of David, king of Israel:

For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings;

for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;^(b)

for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,^[a](c) knowledge and discretion^(d) to a young man—

a wise man will listen and increase his learning,^(e) and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

for understanding a proverb or a parable,^[b] the words of the wise, and their riddles.^(f)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;^(g) fools despise wisdom and discipline.^(h)

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

for they will be a garland^(j) of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck.^(k)

My son, if sinners entice you,^(l) don't be persuaded.^(m)

If they say—"Come with us! Let's set an ambush⁽ⁿ⁾ and kill someone.^[c] Let's attack some innocent person^(o) just for fun!^[d]

Let's swallow them alive,^(p) like Sheol, still healthy as they go down to the Pit.^(q)

We'll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder.^(r)

Throw in your lot with us, and we'll all share our money"^[e]—

my son, don't travel that road with them^(s) or set foot on their path,^(t)

because their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder.^[f](u)

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

but they set an ambush to kill themselves;^[g] they attack their own lives.

Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly;^(v) it takes the lives of those who receive it.^[h]

Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares.^(w)

She cries out above^[i] the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

"How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers^(x) enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?^(y)

If you respond to my warning,^[j](z) then I will pour out my spirit on you^(aa) and teach you my words.

Since I called out and you refused,^(ab) extended my hand and no one paid attention,^(ac)

since you neglected all my counsel^(ad) and did not accept my correction,

I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.^(ae) I will mock when terror strikes you,

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

Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me.^(af)

Because they hated knowledge, didn't choose to fear the Lord ,^(ag)

were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction,^(ah)

they will eat the fruit of their way^(ai) and be glutted with their own schemes.^(aj)

For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them,^(ak) and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger."^(al)

My son, if you accept my words^(a) and store up my commands within you,

listening closely^[a] to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding;

furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure,^(b)

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.^(c)

He stores up success^[b] for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity^(d)

so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.^(e)

Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path.