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How Proverbs Can Be Used
These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David.
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Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.
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From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
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If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand
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proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom, and all kinds of riddles.
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Don't be tempted by sinners or listen
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when they say, “Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it!
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We'll take their valuables and fill our homes with stolen goods.
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If you join our gang, you'll get your share.”
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They are in a big hurry to commit some crime, perhaps even murder.
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They are like a bird that sees the bait, but ignores the trap.
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They gang up to murder someone, but they are the victims.
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Wisdom Speaks
Wisdom shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather.
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She shouts in the marketplaces and near the city gates as she says to the people,
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“How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge?
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“So when you are struck by some terrible disaster,
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or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind, I will laugh and make fun.
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You will ask for my help, but I won't listen; you will search, but you won't find me.
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“Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes.
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Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools.
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But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.”
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Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense.
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Beg as loud as you can for good common sense.
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Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure.
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All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding.
