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
Common English Bible
Listen to “Woman Wisdom”
20 Wisdom shouts in the street;
in the public square she raises her voice.
21 Above the noisy crowd, she calls out.
At the entrances of the city gates, she has her say:
22 “How long will you clueless people love your naïveté,
mockers hold their mocking dear,
and fools hate knowledge?
23 You should respond when I correct you.
Look, I’ll pour out my spirit on you.
I’ll reveal my words to you.
24 I invited you, but you rejected me;
I stretched out my hand to you,
but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored all my advice,
and you didn’t want me to correct you.
26 So I’ll laugh at your disaster;
I’ll make fun of you when dread comes over you,
27 when terror hits you like a hurricane,
and your disaster comes in like a tornado,
when distress and oppression overcome you.
28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will seek me, but won’t find me
29 because they hated knowledge
and didn’t choose the fear of the Lord.
30 They didn’t want my advice;
they rejected all my corrections.
31 They will eat from the fruit of their way,
and they’ll be full of their own schemes.
32 The immature will die because they turn away;
smugness will destroy fools.
33 Those who obey me will dwell securely,
untroubled by the dread of harm.”
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
Common English Bible
Avoid the mysterious woman
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Bend your ear to what I know,
2 so you might remain discreet,
and your lips might 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
Common English Bible
Danger of adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s command;
don’t abandon your mother’s instruction.
21 Bind them on your heart for all time;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk around, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will protect you;
when you awake, they will occupy your attention.
23 The commandment is a lamp and instruction a light;
corrective teaching is the path of 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
Common English Bible
Avoid loose women
7 My son, keep my words;
store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
and my instruction 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
Common English Bible
31 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
but the twisted 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
Common English Bible
14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but there is victory with many counselors.
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
Common English Bible
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
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
Common English Bible
26 The righteous offer guidance to their neighbors,[a]
but the path of the wicked makes them wander.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:26 Heb uncertain
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
Common English Bible
13 Trouble will come on those who despise a word,
but those who respect the commandment 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
Common English Bible
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools have none.
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
Common English Bible
22 Plans fail with no counsel,
but with many counselors 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
Common English Bible
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
so you might grow 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.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible