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.

For wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will delight your heart.

Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,^(f)

rescuing you from the way of evil— from the one who says perverse things,

from those who abandon the right paths to walk in ways of darkness,^(g)

from those who enjoy doing evil^(h) and celebrate perversion,

whose paths are crooked,⁽ⁱ⁾ and whose ways are devious.^(j)

It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,^(k) from a stranger^[c] with her flattering talk,^(l)

who abandons the companion of her youth^(m) and forgets the covenant of her God;

for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.⁽ⁿ⁾

None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.^(o)

So follow the way of good people,^(p) and keep to the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it;^(q)

but the wicked will be cut off from the land,^(r) and the treacherous uprooted from it.^(s)

My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;^(a)

for they will bring you many days, a full life,^[a](b) and well-being.^(c)

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.^(d)

Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.^(e)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,^(f) and do not rely on your own understanding;^(g)

think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.^[b](h)

Don't consider yourself to be wise;⁽ⁱ⁾ fear the Lord and turn away from evil.^(j)

This will be healing for your body^[c](k) and strengthening for your bones.^(l)

Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;^(m)

then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.⁽ⁿ⁾

Do not despise the Lord 's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline;^(o)

for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.^(p)

Happy is a man who finds wisdom^(q) and who acquires understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.^(r)

She is more precious than jewels;^(s) nothing you desire compares with her.^(t)

Long life^[d] is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.^(u)

Her ways are pleasant,^(v) and all her paths, peaceful.

She is a tree of life^(w) to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

The Lord founded the earth by wisdom^(x) and established the heavens by understanding.

By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,^(y) and the clouds dripped with dew.^(z)

Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don't lose sight of them.^(aa)

They will be life for you^[e][f](ab) and adornment^[g] for your neck.

Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.^(ac)

When you lie^[h] down, you will not be afraid;^(ad) you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

Don't fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,^(ae)

for the Lord will be your confidence^[i] and will keep your foot from a snare.^(af)

When it is in your power,^[j] don't withhold good^(ag) from the one it belongs to.

Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow"—when it is there with you.^(ah)

Don't plan any harm against your neighbor,^(ai) for he trusts you and lives near you.

Don't accuse anyone without cause,^(aj) when he has done you no harm.

Don't envy a violent man^(ak) or choose any of his ways;

for the devious are detestable to the Lord , but He is a friend^[k] to the upright.^(al)

The Lord 's curse is on the household of the wicked,^(am) but He blesses the home of the righteous;

He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.^(an)

The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.^[l]