Add parallel Print Page Options

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.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:21 Lit. head
  2. Proverbs 1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read and on top of the walls
  3. Proverbs 1:24 Lit. you refused
  4. Proverbs 1:24 Lit. I stretched out my hand
  5. Proverbs 1:25 The Heb. lacks because
  6. Proverbs 1:26 Lit. when your fear
  7. Proverbs 1:31 I.e. experience the consequences
  8. 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

Warning against Sexual Immorality

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
    and your lips preserve knowledge.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard

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—

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:20 Or laws
  2. Proverbs 6:22 Lit. wisdom; i.e. wisdom personified as a woman

On Avoiding the Immoral Woman

My son, guard what I say
and treasure my commands.
Keep my commands and you’ll live.
    Guard[a] my teaching as you do your eyesight.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 7:2 The Heb. lacks Guard

31 The words of the righteous overflow with wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

Read full chapter

14 A nation falls through a lack of guidance,
    but victory comes through the counsel of many.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:14 Or through much planning

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

Read full chapter

26 The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor,
    but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.

Read full chapter

13 Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it,
    but whoever heeds a command will be rewarded.

Read full chapter

What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
    but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread

22 Plans fail without advice,
    but with many counselors they are confirmed.

Read full chapter

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 The Heb. lacks of your life

The intentions of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but a discerning person reveals them.

Read full chapter

18 Make plans by seeking advice;
    make war by obtaining guidance.

Read full chapter

Don’t speak when a fool is listening,
    because he’ll despise your wise words.

Read full chapter

Ointments and perfume encourage the heart;
    in a similar way, a friend’s advice is sweet to the soul.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:9 So MT; LXX reads heart; but through misfortune the soul is torn apart