Proverbs 1:1-7

New International Version

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs^(A) of Solomon^(B) son of David, king of Israel:^(C)

²for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
³for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]^(D)
    knowledge and discretion^(E) to the young—
⁵let the wise listen and add to their learning,^(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶for understanding proverbs and parables,^(G)
    the sayings and riddles^(H) of the wise.^[b]^(I)

⁷The fear of the Lord^(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[c] despise wisdom^(K) and instruction.^(L)

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Footnotes

Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

Proverbs 1:20-33

New International Version

Wisdom’s Rebuke

²⁰Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,^(A)
she raises her voice in the public square;
²¹on top of the wall^[a] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:

²²“How long will you who are simple^(B) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate^(C) knowledge?
²³Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.
²⁴But since you refuse^(D) to listen when I call^(E)
    and no one pays attention^(F) when I stretch out my hand,
²⁵since you disregard all my advice
    and do not accept my rebuke,
²⁶I in turn will laugh^(G) when disaster^(H) strikes you;
    I will mock^(I) when calamity overtakes you^(J)—
²⁷when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
    when disaster^(K) sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
    when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

²⁸“Then they will call to me but I will not answer;^(L)
    they will look for me but will not find me,^(M)
²⁹since they hated knowledge
    and did not choose to fear the Lord.^(N)
³⁰Since they would not accept my advice
    and spurned my rebuke,^(O)
³¹they will eat the fruit of their ways
    and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.^(P)
³²For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;^(Q)
³³but whoever listens to me will live in safety^(R)
    and be at ease, without fear of harm.”^(S)