The Purpose of the Proverbs
1 The Parables of Solomon the son of David king of Israel,
2 To know wisdom, [2]and instruction, to understand the words [3]of knowledge,
3 To receive [4]instruction to do wisely, by [5]justice and judgment and equity,
4 To give unto the [6]simple sharpness of wit, and to the child knowledge and discretion.
5 And wise man shall hear and increase in learning, and a man of [7]understanding shall attain unto wise counsels,
6 To understand a parable, and the interpretation, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 ¶ ⓐThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Obey Not to Walk with Sinners
8 My son, hear thy [8]father’s instruction, and forsake not thy [9]mother’s teaching.
9 For they shall be [10]a comely ornament unto thine head, and as chains for thy neck.
10 ¶ My son, [11]if sinners do entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, we will lay wait for [12]blood, and lie privily for the innocent without a cause:
12 We will swallow them up alive like a [13]grave, even whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious riches, and fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us, we will all have one [14]purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them: refrain thy foot from their [15]path.
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Certainly as without cause the net is spread before the eyes of all that hath wing:
18 So they lay wait for blood, and lie privily for [16]their lives.
19 Such are the ways of everyone that is greedy of gain: he would take away [17]the life of the owners thereof.
20 ¶ [18]Wisdom crieth without: she uttereth her voice in the [19]streets.
21 She calleth in the high street, among the prease in the enterings of the gates, and uttereth her words in the city, saying,
22 O ye [20]foolish, how long will ye love foolishness? and the scornful take their pleasure in scorning? and the fools hate knowledge?
23 (Turn you at my correction: lo, I will pour out my mind unto you, and make you understand my words.)
24 Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out mine hand, and none would regard.
25 But ye have despised all my counsel, and would none of my correction,
26 I will also [21]laugh at your destruction, and mock when your fear cometh.
27 When [22]your fear cometh like sudden desolation, and your destruction shall come like a whirlwind: when affliction and anguish shall come upon you,
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer: they shall seek me early, but they shall not [23]find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 They would none of my counsel, but [24]despised all my correction.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the [25]fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For [26]ease slayeth the foolish, and the prosperity of fools destroyeth them.
33 But he that obeyeth me, shall dwell safely, and be quiet from fear of evil.