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1:1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 1:2 For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, 1:3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; 1:4 to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young-- 1:5 Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, 1:6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1:8 Hear, my child, your father's instruction, and do not reject your mother's teaching; 1:9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck. 1:10 My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 1:11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us wantonly ambush the innocent; 1:12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit. 1:13 We shall find all kinds of costly things; we shall fill our houses with booty. 1:14 Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"-- 1:15 my child, do not walk in their way, keep your foot from their paths; 1:16 for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood. 1:17 For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on; 1:18 yet they lie in wait-- to kill themselves! and set an ambush-- for their own lives! 1:19 Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. 1:20 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. 1:21 At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 1:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 1:23 Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 1:24 Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, 1:25 and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, 1:27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 1:28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. 1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, 1:30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, 1:31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. 1:32 For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; 1:33 but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster."