OEB PRO Chapter 1

On the Worth of Wisdom

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.

The Aim of the Book

2 That people may learn wisdom and discipline,

and understand words of discernment;

3 that they may win training in prudence,

in right and in justice and rectitude;

4 that shrewdness be imparted to the simple,

and knowledge and insight to youth –

5 the wise too, who listens, will grow wiser,

and the prudent more skilled in direction –

6 that proverbs and parables may be plain,

even the words of the wise and their riddles

The Motto of the Book

7 Reverence for the Lord is the basis of knowledge,

but wisdom and discipline are scorned by fools.

Exhortation and Warning

8 Listen, my child, to your father’s instruction,

and do not forsake what you mother has taught you;

9 they will be a garland to your head,

and a chain for your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent. 11 If they say,

‘Come with us, let us lurk for the blameless,

and ambush the innocent for fun –

12 let us swallow them up like the grave, alive

and entire, just as those that go down to the pit.

13 Precious wealth of all sorts will be ours,

we will fill our houses with spoil.

14 Cast your lot with us;

we will all share what we steal,’

15 Do not go their way, my child.

Keep your foot away from their path.

16 For their feet hasten to evil,

and they rush to shed blood.

17 The net is spread in the sight of the birds,

who hungrily take the bait.

18 Their own is the blood they lurk for.

Their own are the lives they ambush.

19 So end all who would grasp at gain –

it destroys the life of its owner.

The Appeal of Wisdom

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the streets,

in the squares echoes her voice,

21 she calls from the top of the walls,

at the doors of the city gates she says:

22 ‘How long will you fools love folly,

and scoffers delight in scoffing,

and fools in their hatred of knowledge?

23 Respond to my rebuke.

See! I speak my mind to you;

I will tell you my thoughts.

24 Because you refused my call,

gave no heed to my hand when it beckoned you,

25 rejected all my counsel,

and refused my admonition,

26 when distress falls on you, I will laugh;

I will mock, when your terror comes,

27 when your terror comes as a storm,

as a whirlwind your distress.

28 Then I will not answer their call;

they may seek, but they will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge,

and rejected the fear of the Lord,

30 would have nothing of my counsel.

but despised all my admonition,

31 they must eat the fruit of their ways,

and be filled with their own devices.

32 By their own choice will the simple be slain.

Prosperous ease will bring fools to destruction.

33 But he who listens to me will live securely,

in a peace unruffled by fear of calamity.’