Knox Bible

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These proverbs were written by David’s son Solomon, that was king of Israel,

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for the better understanding of true wisdom, and self-command.

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Here is made known the secret of discernment; here men may learn the lesson of insight, the dictates of duty and right and honour.

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Here simplicity is put on its guard; here youth may find instruction and advice both together.

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The wise, too, may be the wiser for hearing them; they will aid even the discerning to guide his course aright;

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he will read both parables and the interpretation of parables, both wise words and the hidden thoughts they signify.

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True wisdom is founded on the fear of the Lord; who but a fool would despise such wisdom, and the lessons she teaches?

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Heed well, my son, thy father’s warnings, nor make light of thy mother’s teaching;

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no richer heirloom, crown or necklace, can be thine.

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Turn a deaf ear, my son, to the blandishments of evil-doers that would make thee of their company.

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There are lives to be had for the ambushing, the lives of unsuspecting folk whose uprightness shall little avail them;

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there are fortunes to be swallowed up whole, as a man is swallowed up by death when he goes to his grave.

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No lack of treasures here, they say, rich plunder that shall find its way into our houses;

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thou hast but to throw in thy lot with us; every man shares alike.

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Such errands, my son, are not for thee; never stir a foot in their company;

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thou knowest well how eager they are for mischief, how greedy for blood,

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and the snare is laid to no purpose if the bird is watching.

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What do they, but compass their own ruin, plot against their own lives?

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Such is ever the end of greed; he who cherishes it must fall by it at last.

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And all the while Wisdom is publishing her message, crying it aloud in the open streets;

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never a meeting of roads, never a gateway, but her voice is raised, echoing above the din of it.

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What, says she, are you still gaping there, simpletons? Do the reckless still court their own ruin? Rash fools, will you never learn?

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Pay heed, then, to my protest; listen while I speak out my mind to you, give you open warning.

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Since my call is unheard, since my hand beckons in vain,

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since my counsel is despised and all my reproof goes for nothing,

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it will be mine to laugh, to mock at your discomfiture, when perils close about you.

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Close about you they will, affliction and sore distress, disasters that sweep down suddenly, gathering storms of ruin.

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It will be their turn, then, to call aloud; my turn, then, to refuse an answer. They will be early abroad looking for me, but find me never;

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fools, that grew weary of instruction, and would not fear the Lord.

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Well for them, if they had followed my counsel, if they had not spurned all the warnings I gave!

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Now they must eat of the harvest their own wickedness has reaped, make the best of the cheer their own knavish schemes have brought them.

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Ah, silly souls, what a perilous refusal, what fatal foolhardiness was here!

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But let a man give heed to me, peace undisturbed shall be his, happiness shall be his, free from all threat of danger.