Proverbs 1

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 a The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in b righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to c the simple,
knowledge and d discretion to the youth -
5 Let the wise hear and e increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
f the words of the wise and their g riddles.

7 h The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Enticement of Sinners

8 i Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
and forsake not your mother's teaching,
9 for they are j a graceful garland for your head
and k pendants for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners l entice you,
do not consent.
11 If they say, "Come with us, m let us lie in wait for blood;
n let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12 like Sheol let us o swallow them alive,
and whole, like p those who go down to the pit;
13 we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse" -
15 my son, q do not walk in the way with them;
r hold back your foot from their paths,
16 for s their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
17 t For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird,
18 but these men u lie in wait for their own blood;
they u set an ambush for their own lives.
19 v Such are the ways of everyone who is w greedy for unjust gain;
x it takes away the life of its possessors.

The Call of Wisdom

20 y Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at z the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 "How long, O a simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will b scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools c hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof, 1
behold, I will d pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 e Because I have called and f you refused to listen,
have g stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have h ignored all my counsel
and i would have none of my reproof,
26 I also j will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when k terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like l a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 m Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they c hated knowledge
and n did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 h would have none of my counsel
and i despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat o the fruit of their way,
and have p their fill of their own devices.
32 For the simple are killed by q their turning away,
and r the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but s whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be t at ease, without dread of disaster."

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:1
    The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
    Proverbs 25:1
    These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
    1 Kings 4:32
    He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.
    Ecclesiastes 12:9
    Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.
  2. Cross References
    Proverbs 2:9
    Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:5
    O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
    Proverbs 14:15
    The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
    Proverbs 14:18
    The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 2:11
    Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.
    Proverbs 3:21
    My son, do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion.
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 9:9
    Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 22:17
    Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.
  7. Cross References
    Judges 14:12
    And Samson said to them, "Let me now put a riddle to you. If you can tell me what it is, within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes.
    Psalms 78:2
    I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old.
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 9:10
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
    Proverbs 15:33
    The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
    Job 28:28
    And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'
  9. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:20
    My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
    Psalms 34:11
    Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
    Ephesians 6:1 - 2
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:9
    She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.
    Proverbs 3:22
    And they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 41:42
    Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
    Daniel 5:29
    Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
  12. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:29
    A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
  13. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:18
    But these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
    Proverbs 12:6
    The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
    Jeremiah 5:26
    For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait. They set a trap; they catch men.
  14. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:18
    But these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
    Psalms 10:8
    He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless.
    Psalms 64:5
    They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see them?
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 124:3
    Then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us.
    Numbers 16:32 - 33
    And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 28:1
    To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:14
    Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
    Proverbs 24:1
    Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them.
    Psalms 1:1
    Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
  18. Cross References
    Psalms 119:101
    I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
  19. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:18
    A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil.
    Isaiah 59:7
    Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways.
    Romans 3:15
    Their feet are swift to shed blood.
  20. Cross References
    Job 40:24
    Can one take him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a snare?
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:11
    If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason.
  22. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:11
    If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason.
  23. Cross References
    Job 8:13
    Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
  24. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:27
    Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
  25. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:10
    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
  26. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:1
    Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
    Proverbs 9:3
    She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town.
    John 7:37
    On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:3
    Beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
  28. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:4
    To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth -
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 1:1
    Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
  30. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:29
    Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
    Proverbs 5:12
    And you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
    Job 21:14
    They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.
  31. Cross References
    Joel 2:28
    And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
    Acts 2:17
    'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
  32. Cross References
    Isaiah 65:12
    I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.
    Isaiah 66:4
    I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.
    Jeremiah 7:13
    And now, because you have done all these things, declares the Lord, and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer.
  33. Cross References
    Zechariah 7:11
    But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.
  34. Cross References
    Romans 10:21
    But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.
  35. Cross References
    Psalms 107:11
    For they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
  36. Cross References
    Psalms 81:11
    But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.
    Luke 7:30
    But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
  37. Cross References
    Psalms 2:4
    He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
  38. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:24
    What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
    Jeremiah 48:43
    Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab! declares the Lord.
    Jeremiah 49:5
    Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord God of hosts, from all who are around you, and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives.
  39. Cross References
    Zephaniah 1:15
    A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness.
  40. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:18
    And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.
    Job 27:9
    Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:22
    How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
  42. Cross References
    Job 21:14
    They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.
  43. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:25
    Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof.
  44. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:25
    Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof.
  45. Cross References
    Jeremiah 6:19
    Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
  46. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:14
    The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
    Isaiah 3:11
    Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
    Job 4:8
    As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
  47. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:19
    Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.
  48. Cross References
    Psalms 73:18 - 19
    Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
  49. Cross References
    Psalms 25:12 - 13
    Who is the man who fears the Lord ? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
  50. Cross References
    Psalms 112:7 - 8
    He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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