Proverbs 1:1-33 ICB

[1] These are the wise words of Solomon son of David. Solomon was king of Israel. [2] They teach wisdom and self-control. They give understanding. [3] They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled. They will teach you what is honest and fair and right. [4] They give the ability to think to those with little knowledge. They give knowledge and good sense to the young. [5] Wise people should also listen to them and learn even more. Even they can find good advice in these words. [6] Then they will be able to understand wise words and stories. They will understand the words of wise men and their riddles. [7] Knowledge begins with respect for the Lord. But foolish people hate wisdom and discipline. [8] My child, listen to your father's teaching. And do not forget your mother's advice. [9] Their teaching will beautify your life. It will be like flowers in your hair or a chain around your neck. [10] My child, sinners will try to lead you into sin. But do not follow them. [11] They might say, "Come with us. Let's ambush and kill someone. Let's attack some harmless person just for fun. [12] Let's swallow them alive, as death does. Let's swallow them whole, as the grave does. [13] We will take all kinds of valuable things. We will fill our houses with what we steal. [14] Come join us, and we will share with you what we steal." [15] My child, do not go along with them. Do not do what they do. [16] They run to do evil. They are quick to kill. [17] It is useless to spread out a net right where the birds can see it! [18] These men are setting their own trap. They will only catch themselves! [19] All greedy people end up this way. Greed takes away the life of the greedy person. [20] Wisdom is like a good woman who shouts in the street. She raises her voice in the city squares. [21] She cries out in the noisy street. She makes her speech at the city gates: [22] "You foolish people! How long do you want to stay foolish? How long will you make fun of wisdom? How long will you hate knowledge? [23] Listen when I correct you. I will tell you what's in my heart. I will tell you what I am thinking. [24] I called, but you refused to listen. I held out my hand, but you paid no attention. [25] You did not follow my advice. You did not want me to correct you. [26] So I will laugh when you are in trouble. I will make fun when disaster happens to you. [27] Disaster will come over you like a storm. Trouble will strike you like a whirlwind. Pain and trouble will overwhelm you. [28] "Then you will call out to me. But I will not answer. You will look for me. But you will not find me. [29] You rejected knowledge. You did not choose to respect the Lord. [30] You did not accept my advice. You rejected my correction. [31] So you will get what you deserve. You will get what you planned for others. [32] Fools wander away and get killed. They are destroyed because they do not care. [33] But those who listen to me will live in safety. They will be safe, without fear of being hurt."