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The Usefulness of Proverbs
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
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To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
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To understand a proverb and a saying, The words of the wise and their riddles.
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The Enticement of Sinners
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, And do not ignore your mother’s teaching;
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My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
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If they say, “Come with us, Let’s lie in wait for blood, Let’s ambush the innocent without cause;
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Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, like those who go down to the pit;
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My son, do not walk on the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,
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For their feet run to evil, And they are quick to shed blood.
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Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;
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Such are the ways of everyone who makes unjust gain; It takes away the life of its possessors.
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Wisdom Warns
Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the public square;
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At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she declares her sayings:
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“How long, you naive ones, will you love simplistic thinking? And how long will scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge?
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Turn to my rebuke, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
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Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
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When your dread comes like a storm And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.
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Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but will not find me,
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So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes.
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But whoever listens to me will live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
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The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security
My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,
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If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;
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He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
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For wisdom will enter your heart, And knowledge will be delightful to your soul;
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To rescue you from the way of evil, From a person who speaks perverse things;
