From www.ebible.org with slight reformatting by Martin Ward. Book 20 Proverbs 001:001 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: 001:002 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; 001:003 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 001:004 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: 001:005 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: 001:006 to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. 001:007 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. 001:008 My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: 001:009 for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. 001:010 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. 001:011 If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 001:012 let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. 001:013 We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil. 001:014 You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse." 001:015 My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, 001:016 for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. 001:017 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: 001:018 but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. 001:019 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. 001:020 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. 001:021 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: 001:022 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? 001:023 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. 001:024 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; 001:025 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; 001:026 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; 001:027 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. 001:028 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; 001:029 because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh. 001:030 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.