1These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2Given to gain wisdom and instruction; to understand words of insight;
3To receive teaching on how to act wisely, with righteousness, justice, and fairness;
4to give insight to those who lack experience, and knowledge and good judgment to the young.
5so that those who are wise will listen and learn still more, and those who understand will get good advice.
6to understand proverbs and stories, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7Respect for Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8My son, listen to your father’s teaching, and do not abandon your mother’s instruction.
9for they will be like a beautiful wreath for your head and a necklace for your throat.
10My son, if sinners try to lure you, do not go along with them.
11If they say, “Come with us! Let’s ambush people and shed their blood! Let’s secretly attack innocent people without reason!
12Let’s swallow them whole and alive, like the grave, like those who go down into the pit!
13We will find all sorts of valuable treasures and fill our houses with stolen goods!
14You can join us; we will all share one purse.”
15My son, do not go with them or even set foot on their path,
16because their feet run to evil, and they are quick to shed blood.
17It is pointless to spread a net when any bird can see it.
18But these men are setting an ambush for their own blood; they are secretly plotting against their own lives.
19This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for money; it takes away the lives of those who get it.
20Wisdom calls out loud in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares.
21She cries out at the busiest intersections and speaks her words at the city gates:
22“How long will you who lack experience love being inexperienced? How long will mockers enjoy their mocking, and fools hate knowledge?
23Turn to me when I correct you. Watch, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24Because I called out, and you refused to answer; I offered my help, and no one paid attention;
25Instead, you ignored all my advice and wanted nothing to do with my correction;
26So I will laugh when trouble hits you. I will make fun of you when disaster strikes;
27when disaster strikes you like a hurricane, when your ruin comes like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish overwhelm you.
28Then they will call to me, but I will not answer. They will search hard for me, but they will not find me;
29because they hated knowledge and did not choose to respect Yahweh.
30They did not want my advice. They turned away from all my correction.
31Therefore, they will suffer the consequences of their own actions and be filled with the results of their own schemes.
32For the straying of simple people will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33But whoever listens to me will live safely and be at peace, without fear of harm.”