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