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Purpose and Theme
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
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for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
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for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
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for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
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let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
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for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
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They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
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If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul;
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let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
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cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—
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my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
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for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.
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How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!
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These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
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Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
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Wisdom’s Rebuke
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;
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on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
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“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
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Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
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But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
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since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
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when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.