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cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../psalms/150.htm" title="Psalm 150">◄</a> Proverbs 1 <a href="../proverbs/2.htm" title="Proverbs 2">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/1.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Introduction and Purpose</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>These proverbs are<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:2 The Heb. lacks These proverbs are">a</a></span> for gaining<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:2 Or knowing">b</a></span> wisdom and discipline;<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:2 Or instruction">c</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">for understanding words of insight;</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>for acquiring the discipline<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:3 Or instruction">d</a></span> that produces wise behavior,</p> <p class="poetry2">righteousness, justice, and upright living;<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:3 Lit. and uprightness">e</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>for giving prudence to the naïve,</p> <p class="poetry2">and knowledge and discretion to the young.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Let the wise listen and increase their<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:5 The Heb. lacks their">f</a></span> learning;</p> <p class="poetry2">let the person of understanding receive guidance</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,</p> <p class="poetry2">words of the wise, and their riddles.</p> <p class="heading">The Major Theme</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,</p> <p class="poetry2">but fools despise wisdom and discipline.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:7 Or instruction">g</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">The Minor Theme</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>My son, listen to your father’s instruction,</p> <p class="poetry2">and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>They will be a graceful wreath for your head</p> <p class="poetry2">and a chain for your neck.</p> <p class="heading">Avoid Evil Counsel</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>My son, if sinners entice you,</p> <p class="poetry2">do not consent.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>If they say, “Come with us!</p> <p class="poetry2">Let’s lie in wait for blood;</p> <p class="poetry2">let’s ambush some innocent person for no reason at all.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:12 i.e. the realm of the dead; possibly an allusion to the rebellion of Korah (cf. Num 16:33)">h</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and whole like those who go down into the Pit.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:12 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife">i</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>We’ll find all kinds of valuable wealth,</p> <p class="poetry2">and we’ll fill our houses with spoil.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Throw your lot in with us,</p> <p class="poetry2">and all of us will have one purse.”</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>My son, do not go along with them,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:15 Lit. in the way with them">j</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and keep your feet away from their paths!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>For they<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:16 Lit. For their feet">k</a></span> run toward evil;</p> <p class="poetry2">these enticers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:16 Lit. they">l</a></span> shed blood without hesitation.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:16 Lit. blood quickly">m</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:17 Lit. in the eyes of">n</a></span> all the birds,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>but these people<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:18 Lit. they">o</a></span> lie in wait for their own blood.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:18 The Heb. lacks their own">p</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">They ambush only themselves.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain—</p> <p class="poetry2">it takes away the lives of those who possess it.</p> <p class="heading">The Benefits of Choosing Wisdom</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Wisdom cries out in the street;</p> <p class="poetry2">she raises her voice in the public squares.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>She calls out at the busiest part<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:21 Lit. head">q</a></span> of the noisy streets,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read and on top of the walls">r</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">and at the entrance to the gates of the city she utters her words:</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>“You naïve ones, how long will you love naiveté?</p> <p class="poetry2">And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing</p> <p class="poetry2">or fools hate knowledge?”</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Return to my correction!</p> <p class="poetry2">Look, I will pour out my spirit on you,</p> <p class="poetry2">and I will make my words known to you.</p> <p class="heading">The Consequences of Refusing Wisdom</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>“Because I called out to you and you refused to respond—<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:24 Lit. you refused">s</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">I appealed,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:24 Lit. I stretched out my hand">t</a></span> but no one paid attention—</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>because<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:25 The Heb. lacks because">u</a></span> you neglected all my advice</p> <p class="poetry2">and did not want my correction,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>I will laugh at your calamity.</p> <p class="poetry2">I will mock when what you fear<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:26 Lit. when your fear">v</a></span> comes,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>when what you dread comes like a storm,</p> <p class="poetry2">and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind,</p> <p class="poetry2">when distress and anguish come upon you.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>“Then they will call out to me,</p> <p class="poetry2">but I will not answer;</p> <p class="poetry2">they will seek me diligently,</p> <p class="poetry2">but they will not find me.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>“Because they hated knowledge</p> <p class="poetry2">and did not choose the fear of the LORD;</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>they did not want my advice,</p> <p class="poetry2">and they rejected all my correction.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>They will eat the fruit<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:31 i.e. experience the consequences ">w</a></span> of their way,</p> <p class="poetry2">and they will be filled with their own devices.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Indeed, the waywardness<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="1:32 So MT; DSS 4QProv reads narrow-mindedness; lit. the pull of; LXX reads Because they would wrong the naïve, they will be murdered">x</a></span> of the naïve will kill them,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the complacency of fools will destroy them.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>“But the person who listens to me will live safely</p> <p class="poetry2">and will be secure from the fear of evil.”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 1:2 The Heb. lacks <i>These proverbs are</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 1:2 Or <i>knowing</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 1:2 Or <i>instruction</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 1:3 Or <i>instruction</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 1:3 Lit.<i> and uprightness</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 1:5 The Heb. lacks <i>their</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 1:7 Or <i>instruction</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 1:12 i.e. the realm of the dead; possibly an allusion to the rebellion of Korah (cf. Num 16:33)<br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 1:12 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife<br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 1:15 Lit. <i>in the way with them</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 1:16 Lit. <i>For their feet</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 1:16 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 1:16 Lit. <i>blood quickly</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 1:17 Lit. <i>in the eyes of</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 1:18 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 1:18 The Heb. lacks <i>their own</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 1:21 Lit. <i>head</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 1:21 So MT; LXX Syr Targ read <i>and on top of the walls</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 1:24 Lit. <i>you refused</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 1:24 Lit. <i>I stretched out my hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 1:25 The Heb. lacks <i>because</i><br /><span class="fnb">v</span> 1:26 Lit. <i>when your fear</i><br /><span class="fnb">w</span> 1:31 i.e. experience the consequences <br /><span class="fnb">x</span> 1:32 So MT; DSS 4QProv reads <i>narrow-mindedness</i>; lit. <i>the pull of</i>; LXX reads <i>Because they would wrong the naïve, they will be murdered</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../psalms/150.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 150"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 150" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../proverbs/2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/proverbs/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>