Dual Panel1These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David.
2Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.
3You will learn what is right and honest and fair.
4From these, an ordinary person can learn to be clever, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
5If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are clever, you will learn to understand
6proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom and all kinds of riddles.
7Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
Warnings against bad friends
8 My child, obey the teachings of your parents,
9and wear their teachings as you would a lovely hat or a pretty necklace.
10Don't be tempted by sinners or listen
11when they say, “Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it!
12They're well and healthy now, but we'll finish them off once and for all.
13We'll take their valuables and fill our homes with stolen goods.
14If you join our gang, you'll get your share.”
15Don't follow anyone like that or do what they do.
16They are in a big hurry to commit some crime, perhaps even murder.
17They are like a bird that sees the bait, but ignores the trap.
18They gang up to murder someone, but they are the victims.
19The wealth you get from crime robs you of your life.
Wisdom speaks
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather.
21She shouts in the market places and near the city gates as she says to the people,
22“How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge?
23Listen as I correct you and tell you what I think.
24You completely ignored me and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.
26“So when you are struck by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind, I will laugh and make fun of you.
28You will ask for my help, but I won't listen; you will search, but you won't find me.
29No, you would not learn, and you refused to respect the Lord.
30You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.
31“Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes.
32Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools.
33But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.”