AMP ▾ProverbsProverbs 11The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:2To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,3To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity;4That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,5The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth], [Prov 9:9]6To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation, And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].7¶The [reverent] fear of the L ord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. [Ps 111:10]8¶My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.9For they are a garland of grace on your head, And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.10My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. [Ps 1:1; Eph 5:11]11If they say, “Come with us; Let us lie in wait to shed blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause;12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead), Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];13We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions, We will fill our houses with spoil;14Throw in your lot with us [they insist]; We will all have one money bag [in common],”15My son, do not walk on the road with them; Keep your foot [far] away from their path,16For their feet run to evil, And they hurry to shed blood.17Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;18But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors. [Prov 15:27;20¶Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets;21She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:22“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?23“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. [Is 11:2; Eph 1:17-20]24“Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer]; [Is 65:11, 12; 66:4; Jer 7:13, 14; Zech 7:11-13]25And you treated all my counsel as nothing And would not accept my reprimand,26I also will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread and panic come,27When your dread and panic come like a storm, And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].28“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me, [Job 27:9; 35:12, 13; Is 1:15, 16; Jer 11:11; Mic 3:4; James 4:3]29Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the L ord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect], [Prov 8:13]30They would not accept my counsel, And they spurned all my rebuke.31“Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.32“For the turning away of the naive will kill them, And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them. [Is 32:6]33“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”Psalms 150Proverbs 2