| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, | 1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: |
| 2for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, | 2for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; |
| 3and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. | 3for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; |
| 4To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, | 4for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- |
| 5let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel | 5let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- |
| 6by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. | 6for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. |
| 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. | 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. |
| 8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. | 8Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. |
| 9For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck. | 9They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. |
| 10My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. | 10My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. |
| 11If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, | 11If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for innocent blood, let's ambush some harmless soul; |
| 12let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. | 12let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; |
| 13We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. | 13we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; |
| 14Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”— | 14cast lots with us; we will all share the loot"-- |
| 15my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. | 15my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; |
| 16For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. | 16for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. |
| 17How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! | 17How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! |
| 18But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. | 18These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! |
| 19Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors. | 19Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. |
| 20Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; | 20Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; |
| 21in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: | 21on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: |
| 22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? | 22"How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? |
| 23If 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. | 23Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. |
| 24Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, | 24But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, |
| 25because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, | 25since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, |
| 26in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, | 26I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-- |
| 27when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. | 27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. |
| 28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. | 28"Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, |
| 29For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. | 29since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. |
| 30They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. | 30Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, |
| 31So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. | 31they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. |
| 32For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. | 32For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; |
| 33But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.” | 33but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." |
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