Proverbs 1:8-19

New International Version

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

⁸Listen, my son,^(A) to your father’s^(B) instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.^(C)
⁹They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.^(D)

¹⁰My son, if sinful men entice^(E) you,
    do not give in^(F) to them.^(G)
¹¹If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait^(H) for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
¹²let’s swallow^(I) them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;^(J)
¹³we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
¹⁴cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot^(K)”—
¹⁵my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot^(L) on their paths;^(M)
¹⁶for their feet rush into evil,^(N)
    they are swift to shed blood.^(O)
¹⁷How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
¹⁸These men lie in wait^(P) for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!^(Q)
¹⁹Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.^(R)

Read full chapter

Proverbs 8:1-21

New International Version

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?^(A)
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
²At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:^(B)
⁴“To you, O people, I call out;^(C)
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵You who are simple,^(D) gain prudence;^(E)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]
⁶Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷My mouth speaks what is true,^(F)
    for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
⁹To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
¹⁰Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,^(G)
¹¹for wisdom is more precious^(H) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.^(I)

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.^(J)
¹³To fear the Lord^(K) is to hate evil;^(L)
    I hate^(M) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(N)
¹⁵By me kings reign
    and rulers^(O) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶by me princes govern,^(P)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[b]
¹⁷I love those who love me,^(Q)
    and those who seek me find me.^(R)
¹⁸With me are riches and honor,^(S)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(T)
¹⁹My fruit is better than fine gold;^(U)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(V)
²⁰I walk in the way of righteousness,^(W)
    along the paths of justice,
²¹bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.^(X)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers