Proverbs 1 — FBV

1Verse 1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.^{Verse 2}They are for achieving wisdom and instruction, and to recognize sayings that bring insight.^{Verse 3}They provide education in what makes sense, living right, judging correctly, and acting fairly.^{Verse 4}They give discernment to the immature, knowledge and discretion to the young.^{Verse 5}Wise people will listen and gain in learning, and those who have good judgment will gain skills in guidance,^{Verse 6}understanding the proverbs and puzzles, the sayings and questions of the wise.^{Verse 7}Honoring the Lord is where true knowledge begins, but fools treat wisdom and good advice with contempt.^{Verse 8}My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.^{Verse 9}They are a wreath of grace to decorate your head; they are pendants for your neck.^{Verse 10}My son, if evil people try to tempt you, don't give into them.^{Verse 11}They may tell you, “Come with us. Let's go and hide, ready to kill someone. Let's ambush someone for fun!^{Verse 12}Let's bury them alive; let's put them in the grave while they're still healthy!^{Verse 13}We'll take from them all kinds of valuable things and fill our homes with the stuff we steal!^{Verse 14}Come and join us⁺and we'll all share what we get!”^{Verse 15}My son, don't follow their ways. Don't go in that direction with them.^{Verse 16}For they rush to do evil; they hurry to commit violence and murder.^{Verse 17}There's no point in trying to lure birds into a net when they can see it.^{Verse 18}However, these evil people hide ready to kill others, but they themselves are the victims. They're only ambushing themselves!^{Verse 19}This is what happens to you if you try to become rich through crime—it kills you!^{Verse 20}Wisdom calls out in the streets; she⁺shouts aloud in the squares.^{Verse 21}She cries out at busy corners; she explains her message at the town gates:^{Verse 22}“How long will you stupid people love stupidity? How long will scornful people enjoy their mocking? How long will fools hate knowledge?^{Verse 23}Pay attention to my warnings, and I'll pour out my deepest thoughts to you—I'll explain what I know to you.^{Verse 24}For I have called you, but you refused to listen; I reached out my hand to you, but you didn't care.^{Verse 25}You ignored everything I said; you wouldn't accept any of my warnings.^{Verse 26}So I'll laugh at you when you're in trouble; I'll mock you when you're in a panic.^{Verse 27}When panic rains down on you like a storm, when trouble hits you like a whirlwind, when sorrow and pain come on you,^{Verse 28}then you'll call out to me for help, but I won't answer; you'll search hard for me, but won't find me.^{Verse 29}Why?—because they hated knowledge, and they didn't choose to respect the Lord.^{Verse 30}They're not willing to accept my advice; they despise all my warnings.^{Verse 31}So they'll have to eat the fruit of their own choices, bloated by their own devious schemes.^{Verse 32}Stupid people are killed by their rebellion; foolish people are destroyed by their lack of concern.^{Verse 33}But everyone who listens to me will be kept safe, and will live without worrying about problems.”