Proverbs 1
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These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, Begin Abide·
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for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, Begin Abide·
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and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. Begin Abide·
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To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, Begin Abide·
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let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel Begin Abide·
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by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. Begin Abide·
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Begin Abide·
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Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. Begin Abide·
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For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck. Begin Abide·
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My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. Begin Abide·
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If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, Begin Abide·
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let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. Begin Abide·
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We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. Begin Abide·
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Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”— Begin Abide·
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my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. Begin Abide·
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For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. Begin Abide·
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How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! Begin Abide·
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But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. Begin Abide·
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Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors. Begin Abide·
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Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; Begin Abide·
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in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: Begin Abide·
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“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? Begin Abide·
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If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Begin Abide·
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Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, Begin Abide·
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because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, Begin Abide·
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in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, Begin Abide·
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when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. Begin Abide·
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Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. Begin Abide·
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For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. Begin Abide·
- 30
They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Begin Abide·
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So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. Begin Abide·
- 32
For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. Begin Abide·
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But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.” Begin Abide·