Proverbs 1:20-33
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Call of Wisdom
20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.(A)
21 At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?(B)
23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.(C)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,(D)
25 and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,(E)
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,(F)
27 when panic strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.(G)
29 Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,(H)
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.(I)
32 For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;(J)
33 but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease without dread of disaster.”(K)
Proverbs 1:20-33
Evangelical Heritage Version
First Poem About Wisdom: Wisdom Calls but Many Refuse
20 Wisdom calls out loudly in the street.
In the public squares she raises her voice.
21 At the noisy street corners she calls out.
At the entrances to the city gates she speaks her words:
22 “How long will you gullible[a] people love being gullible?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing?
How long will fools hate knowledge?
23 If you respond to my warning,
I will pour out my spirit for you.
I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I called, but you refused to listen,
because I stretched out my hand, but no one paid attention,
25 because you ignored all my advice,
and you did not accept my warning,
26 therefore I will laugh at your calamity.
I will jeer when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a violent storm,
when calamity strikes you like a windstorm,
when trouble and distress come upon you.
28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer.
They will look for me, but they will not find me,
29 because they hated knowledge,
and they did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 They would not accept my advice,
and they despised all my warnings.
31 So they will eat the fruit of their own way,
and they will be stuffed with their own schemes.
32 Therefore the wandering ways[b] of the gullible kill them,
and the complacency of fools destroys them.
33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety.
He will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:22 Or naïve
- Proverbs 1:32 Or apostasy
Proverbs 5:1-2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Warning against Impurity and Infidelity
5 My child, be attentive to my wisdom;
incline your ear to my understanding,(A)
2 so that you may hold on to prudence,
and your lips may guard knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2
Evangelical Heritage Version
Seventh Address to a Son:
Wisdom Teaches You to Avoid Adultery
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Open your ears to my understanding,
2 so that you may hold on to insight,
so your lips may guard knowledge,
Proverbs 6:20-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 My child, keep your father’s commandment,
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(A)
21 Bind them upon your heart always;
tie them around your neck.(B)
22 When you walk, they[a] will lead you;
when you lie down, they[b] will watch over you;
and when you awake, they[c] will talk with you.(C)
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,(D)
Proverbs 6:20-23
Evangelical Heritage Version
Ninth Address to a Son:
Avoid Sexual Immorality
20 My son, keep your father’s commands,
and do not forsake your mother’s teachings.
21 Fasten them permanently to your heart,
and tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk around, they will lead you.
When you lie down, they will stand guard over you.
When you wake up, they will converse with you,
23 because a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,
and the warnings given by discipline are a road to life.
Proverbs 7:1-2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The False Attractions of Adultery
7 My child, keep my words
and store up my commandments with you;(A)
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teachings as the apple[a] of your eye;(B)
Footnotes
- 7.2 Heb little man
Proverbs 7:1-2
Evangelical Heritage Version
Tenth Address to a Son:
Wisdom Protects You From Adultery and Death
7 My son, guard what I say.
Keep my commands with you.
2 Obey my commands so that you may live.
Protect my teachings like the pupil of your eye.
Proverbs 10:31
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(A)
Proverbs 10:31
Evangelical Heritage Version
31 The mouth of a righteous person produces the fruit of wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut off.
Proverbs 11:14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 Where there is no guidance, a nation[a] falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.(A)
Footnotes
- 11.14 Or an army
Proverbs 11:14
Evangelical Heritage Version
14 Without guidance people fall,
but in many advisors there is safety.
Proverbs 12:5
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
Proverbs 12:5
Evangelical Heritage Version
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
Proverbs 12:26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[a]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Footnotes
- 12.26 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain
Proverbs 12:26
Evangelical Heritage Version
26 A righteous person guides his neighbor,[a]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
Proverbs 13:13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Those who despise a word bring destruction on themselves,
but those who respect a command will be rewarded.(A)
Proverbs 13:13
Evangelical Heritage Version
13 The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price,
but the person who respects a command will be rewarded.
Proverbs 15:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
Proverbs 15:7
Evangelical Heritage Version
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools—not so.
Proverbs 15:22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.(A)
Proverbs 15:22
Evangelical Heritage Version
22 Plans fail without advice,
but where there are many advisors they succeed.
Proverbs 19:20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom for the future.(A)
Proverbs 19:20
Evangelical Heritage Version
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
so that you will be wise in the future.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.