Proverbs 1:20-33
English Standard Version
The Call of Wisdom
20 (A)Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at (B)the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O (C)simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will (D)scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools (E)hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof,[a]
behold, I will (F)pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 (G)Because I have called and (H)you refused to listen,
have (I)stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have (J)ignored all my counsel
and (K)would have none of my reproof,
26 I also (L)will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when (M)terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like (N)a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 (O)Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they (P)hated knowledge
and (Q)did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 (R)would have none of my counsel
and (S)despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat (T)the fruit of their way,
and have (U)their fill of their own devices.
32 For the simple are killed by (V)their turning away,
and (W)the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but (X)whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be (Y)at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:23 Or Will you turn away at my reproof?
Proverbs 1:20-33
International Standard Version
The Benefits of Choosing Wisdom
20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares.
21 She calls out at the busiest part[a] of the noisy streets,[b]
and at the entrance to the gates of the city she utters her words:
22 “You naïve ones, how long will you love naiveté?
And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing
or fools hate knowledge?”
23 Return to my correction!
Look, I will pour out my spirit on you,
and I will make my words known to you.
The Consequences of Refusing Wisdom
24 “Because I called out to you and you refused to respond—[c]
I appealed,[d] but no one paid attention—
25 because[e] you neglected all my advice
and did not want my correction,
26 I will laugh at your calamity.
I will mock when what you fear[f] comes,
27 when what you dread comes like a storm,
and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call out to me,
but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently,
but they will not find me.
29 “Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord;
30 they did not want my advice,
and they rejected all my correction.
31 They will eat the fruit[g] of their way,
and they will be filled with their own devices.
32 Indeed, the waywardness[h] of the naïve will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 “But the person who listens to me will live safely
and will be secure from the fear of evil.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:21 Lit. head
- Proverbs 1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read and on top of the walls
- Proverbs 1:24 Lit. you refused
- Proverbs 1:24 Lit. I stretched out my hand
- Proverbs 1:25 The Heb. lacks because
- Proverbs 1:26 Lit. when your fear
- Proverbs 1:31 I.e. experience the consequences
- Proverbs 1:32 So MT; DSS 4QProva reads narrow-mindedness; lit. the pull of; LXX reads Because they would wrong the naïve, they will be murdered
Proverbs 5:1-2
English Standard Version
Warning Against Adultery
5 (A)My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
(B)incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep (C)discretion,
and your lips may (D)guard knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Warning against Sexual Immorality
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
2 so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
Proverbs 6:20-23
English Standard Version
Warnings Against Adultery
20 (A)My son, keep your father's commandment,
(B)and forsake not your mother's teaching.
21 (C)Bind them on your heart always;
(D)tie them around your neck.
22 (E)When you walk, they[a] will lead you;
(F)when you lie down, they will (G)watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is (H)a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the (I)reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 6:22 Hebrew it; three times in this verse
Proverbs 6:20-23
International Standard Version
Parental Counsel about Immorality
20 Keep your father’s commands, my son,
and never forsake your mother’s rules,[a]
21 by binding them to your heart continuously,
fastening them around your neck.
22 During your travels wisdom[b] will lead you;
she will watch over you while you rest;
and when you are startled from your sleep,
she will commune with you.
23 Because the command is a lamp
and the Law a light,
rebukes that discipline are a way of life—
Footnotes
- Proverbs 6:20 Or laws
- Proverbs 6:22 Lit. wisdom; i.e. wisdom personified as a woman
Proverbs 7:1-2
English Standard Version
Warning Against the Adulteress
7 (A)My son, keep my words
and (B)treasure up my commandments with you;
2 (C)keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as (D)the apple of your eye;
Proverbs 7:1-2
International Standard Version
On Avoiding the Immoral Woman
7 My son, guard what I say
and treasure my commands.
2 Keep my commands and you’ll live.
Guard[a] my teaching as you do your eyesight.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:2 The Heb. lacks Guard
Proverbs 10:31
English Standard Version
31 (A)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Proverbs 10:31
International Standard Version
31 The words of the righteous overflow with wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut out.
Proverbs 11:14
English Standard Version
14 Where there is (A)no guidance, a people falls,
(B)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
International Standard Version
14 A nation falls through a lack of guidance,
but victory comes through the counsel of many.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:14 Or through much planning
Proverbs 12:5
English Standard Version
5 (A)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
Proverbs 12:5
International Standard Version
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
Proverbs 12:26
English Standard Version
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[a]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
Proverbs 12:26
International Standard Version
26 The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor,
but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 13:13
English Standard Version
13 Whoever (A)despises (B)the word[a] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[b] will be (C)rewarded.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
Proverbs 13:13
International Standard Version
13 Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it,
but whoever heeds a command will be rewarded.
Proverbs 15:7
English Standard Version
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
7 What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread
Proverbs 15:22
English Standard Version
22 (A)Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
International Standard Version
22 Plans fail without advice,
but with many counselors they are confirmed.
Proverbs 19:20
English Standard Version
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in (A)the future.
Proverbs 19:20
International Standard Version
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:20 The Heb. lacks of your life
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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