Proverbs 1

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:	1 The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel,
2 That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight,	2 in order to know wisdom and discipline,
3 receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;	3 to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity,
4 that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--	4 so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents.
5 the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill,	5 By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments.
6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.	6 He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.	7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine.
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;	8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother,
9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.	9 so that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.	10 My son, if sinners should entice you, do not consent to them.
11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent;	11 If they should say: “Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without cause.
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit;	12 Let us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pit.
13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil;	13 We will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoils.
14 throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse"--	14 Cast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.”
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths;	15 My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their paths.
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.	16 For their feet rush to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird;	17 But a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wings.
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives.	18 Likewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own souls.
19 Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors.	19 Thus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possess.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice;	20 Wisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streets.
21 on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:	21 She cries out at the head of crowds; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she offers her words, saying:
22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?	22 “Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledge?
23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.	23 Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,	24 For I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watched.
25 and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,	25 You have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukes.
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,	26 Similarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome you.
27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.	27 When sudden calamity rushes upon you, and your demise advances like a tempest, when tribulation and anguish overcome you,
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.	28 then they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,	29 For they held hatred for discipline, and they would not accept the fear of the Lord;
30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,	30 they would not consent to my counsel, but they detracted from all of my corrections.
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices.	31 Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counsels.
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them;	32 The loathing of the little ones shall destroy them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall perish them.
33 but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil."	33 But whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.”