Study Desk

Purpose and Theme

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

for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a](d) knowledge and discretion^(e) to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,^(f) and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,^(g) the sayings and riddles^(h) of the wise.^[b](i)

The fear of the Lord ^(j) is the beginning of knowledge, but fools^[c] despise wisdom^(k) and instruction.^(l)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Listen, my son,^(m) to your father's⁽ⁿ⁾ instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.^(o)

They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.^(p)

My son, if sinful men entice^(q) you, do not give in^(r) to them.^(s)

If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait^(t) for innocent blood, let's ambush some harmless soul;

let's swallow^(u) them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;^(v)

we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;

cast lots with us; we will all share the loot^(w)"—

my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot^(x) on their paths;^(y)

for their feet rush into evil,^(z) they are swift to shed blood.^(aa)

How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!

These men lie in wait^(ab) for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!^(ac)

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.^(ad)

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,^(ae) she raises her voice in the public square;

on top of the wall^[d] she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:

"How long will you who are simple^(af) love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate^(ag) 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^(ah) to listen when I call^(ai) and no one pays attention^(aj) when I stretch out my hand,

since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,

I in turn will laugh^(ak) when disaster^(al) strikes you; I will mock^(am) when calamity overtakes you^(an)—

when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster^(ao) sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

"Then they will call to me but I will not answer;^(ap) they will look for me but will not find me,^(aq)

since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord .^(ar)

Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,^(as)

they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.^(at)

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;^(au)

but whoever listens to me will live in safety^(av) and be at ease, without fear of harm."^(aw)

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

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding^(b)—

indeed, if you call out for insight^(c) and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,^(d)

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.^(e)

For the Lord gives wisdom;^(f) from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.^(g)

He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield^(h) to those whose walk is blameless,⁽ⁱ⁾

for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.^(j)

Then you will understand^(k) what is right and just and fair—every good path.