The Book of Proverbs Proverbs Chapter 1 the Proverbs of Solomon son of David king of Israel for gaining wisdom and instruction for understanding words of insight for receiving instruction in prudent Behavior doing what is right and just and fair for giving Prudence to those who are simple knowledge and discretion to the young let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the Discerning get guidance for understanding Proverbs and Parables the sayings and riddles of the wise the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction listen my
son to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching they are a Garland to Grace your head and a chain to Adorn your neck my son if sinful men entice you do not give in to them if they say come along with us let's lie in wait for innocent Blood let's Ambush some harmless Soul let's swallow them alive like the grave and whole like those who go down to the pit we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses is with plunder cast lots with us we will all share the
loot my son do not go along with them do not set foot on their paths for their feet rush into evil they are Swift to shed blood how useless to spread a net where every bird can see it these men lie in wait for their own blood they Ambush only themselves such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain it takes away the life of those who get it out in the open wisdom calls aloud she raises her voice in the Public Square on the top of the wall she cries out at The
City Gate she makes her speech how long will you who are simple love your simple ways how long will mockers Delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge repent at my rebuke then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make known to you my teachings but since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you I will mock when Calamity overtakes you when Calamity
overtakes you like a storm when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind when distress and trouble overwhelm you then they will call to me but I will not answer they will look for me but will not find me since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the lord since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes for the way would of the simple will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them but whoever
listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without fear of [Music] harm Proverbs chap 2 my son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding indeed if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for Hidden Treasure then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God for the Lord gives wisdom from his mouth come knowledge and understanding
he holds success in store for the upright he is a shield to those whose way of life is blameless for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones then you will understand what is right and just and fair every good path for wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men for men whose words are perverse who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways
who Delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman from the Wayward woman with her seductive words who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the Covenant she made before God surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the Dead none who go to her return or attain the paths of Life thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of
the righteous for the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it but the wicked will be cut off from the land land and the Unfaithful will be torn from it Proverbs chapter 3 my son do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity let love and faithfulness never leave you bind them round your neck write them on the tablet of your heart then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of
God and man trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight do not be wise in your own eyes fear the lord and shun evil this will bring Health to your body and nourishment to your bones honor the Lord with your wealth with the first fruits of all your crops then your bars will be filled to overflowing and your Vats will brim over with new wine my son do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not
resent his rebuke because the Lord disciplines those he loves as a father the son he Delights in blessed to those who find wisdom those who gain understanding for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold she is more precious than rubies nothing you desire can compare with her long life is in her right hand in her left hand are riches and honor her ways a pleasant ways and all her Paths of Peace she is a tree of life to those who take C of her those who hold her fast will be
blessed by wisdom the Lord laid the Earth's foundations by understanding he set the heavens in place by his knowledge the watery depths were divided and the clouds let drop the Dew my son do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight preserve sound judgment and discretion they will be life for you an ornament to Grace your neck then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble when you lie down you will not be afraid when you lie down your sleep will be sweet have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared do not withhold good from those to whom it is is you when it is in your power to act do not say to your neighbor come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you when you already have it with you do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully near you do not accuse anyone for no reason when they have done you no harm do not envy the violent or choose any
of their ways for the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence the Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked but He blesses the home of the righteous he mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed the wise inherit honor but fools get only shame proverbs 4 Listen My Sons to a father's instruction pay attention and gain understanding I give you sound learning so do not forsake my teaching for I too was a son to my father still tender and cherished by my mother then he taught me
and he said to me take hold of my words with all your heart keep my commands and you will live get wisdom get understanding do not forget my words or turn away from them do not forsake wisdom widom and she will protect you love her and she will watch over you the beginning of wisdom is this get wisdom though it cost all you have get understanding cherish her and she will exalt you Embrace her and she will honor you she will give you a Garland to Grace your head and present you with a glorious crown
listen my son accept what I say and the years of your life will be many I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths when you walk your steps will not be hampered when you run you will not stumble hold on to instruction do not let it go guard it well for it is your life do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers avoid it do not travel on it turn from it and go on your way for they cannot rest until
they do evil they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence the path of the righteous is like the morning sun shining ever brighter till the full light of day but the Way of the Wicked is like deep dness Ness they do not know what makes them stumble my son pay attention to what I say turn your ear to my words do not let them out of your sight keep them within your heart for they are life to those who find them and
health to one's whole body Above All Else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it keep your mouth free of perversity keep corrupt talk far from your lips let your eyes look straight ahead fix your gaze directly before you give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways do not turn to the right or the left keep your foot from Evil Proverbs 5 my son pay attention to my wisdom turn your ear to my words of insight that you may maintain discretion and your lips May preserve
knowledge for the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey and Her speech is smoother than oil but in the end she is bitter as Gall sharp as a double-edged sword her feet go down to death her steps lead straight to the Grave she gives no no thought to the way of life her paths wander aimlessly but she does not know it now then my sons listen to me do not turn aside from what I say keep to a path far from her do not go near the door of her house lest you lose your honor
to others and your dignity to one who is cruel lest strangers Feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another at the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and body are spent you will say how I hated discipline how my hearts burned correction I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors and I was soon in serious trouble in the Assembly of God's people drink water from your own system running water from your own well should your Springs overflow in the streets your streams of
water in the public squares let them be yours alone never to be shared with strangers may your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth a loving dough a graceful deer May her breasts satisfy you always may you ever be intoxicated with her love why my my son be intoxicated with another man's wife why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman for your ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all your paths the evil Deeds of the wicked ens snare them the cords of their sins hold
them fast for lack of discipline they will die LED astray by their own great folly [Music] Proverbs Chapter 6 my son if you have put up security for your neighbor if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger you have been trapped by what you said and snared by the words of your mouth so do this my son to Free Yourself since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands go to the point of exhaustion and give your neighbor No Rest allow no sleep to your eyes no Slumber to your eyelids free yourself like a
gazelle from the hand of the hunter like a bird From The Snare of the Fowler go to the ant you sluggard consider its ways and be wise it has no Commander no overseer or ruler yet it stores its Provisions in summer and gathers its food at Harvest how long will you lie there you slugged when will you get up from your sleep a little sleep a little Slumber a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man a troublemaker and a villain who
goes about with a corrupt mouth who Winks maliciously with his eye signals with his feet and motions with his fingers who plots evil with deceit in his heart he always stirs up conflict therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant he will suddenly be destroyed without remedy there are six things the Lord hates seven that are detestable to him hay eyes a lying tongue hands that shed innocent blood a heart that devises wicked schemes feet that are quick to rush into evil a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict
in the community my son keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching bind them always on your heart fasten them round your neck when you walk they will guide you when you sleep they will watch over you when you awake they will speak to you for this command is a lamp this teaching is a light and correction and instruction are the way to to life keeping you from your neighbor's wife from the smooth talk of a wayward woman do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her Captivate you with
her eyes for a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread but another man's wife prays on your very life can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched so is he who sleeps with another man's wife no one who touches her will go unpunished people do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving yet if he is caught he must pay Sevenfold though it costs him all the wealth of his house
but a man who commits adultery has no sense whoever does so destroys himself blows and disgrace are his lot and his shame will never be wiped away for jealousy arouses a husband's Fury and he will show no mercy when he takes Revenge he will not accept any compensation he will refuse a bribe however great it is Proverbs 7 my son keep my words and store up my commands within you keep my commands and you will live guard my teachings as the apple of your eye bind them on your fingers write them on the tablet of
your heart say to wisdom you are my sister and to Insight you are my relative they will keep you from the adulterous woman from the Wayward woman with her seductive words at the window of my house I looked down through the latice I saw a the simple I noticed among the young men a youth who had no sense he was going down the street near her Corner walking along in the direction of her house at Twilight as the day was fading as the dark of night set in then out came a woman to meet him
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent she is unruly and defiant her feet never stay at home now in the street now in the squares at every corner she lurs she took hold of him and kissed him and with a Brazen face she said today I fulfilled my vows and I have food from my fellowship offering at home so I came out to meet you I looked for you and have found you I have covered my bed with colored Linens from Egypt I have perfumed my bed with myrr alows and cinnamon come let's drink
deeply of Love till morning let's enjoy ourselves with love my husband is not at home he has gone on a long journey he took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon with persuasive words she led him astray she seduced him with her smooth talk all at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver like a bird darting into a snare little knowing it will cost him his life now then my sons listen to me
pay attention to what I say do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths many of the victims she has brought down her slain are a mighty Throne her house is a highway to the Grave leading down to the chambers of [Music] death Proverbs 8 does not wisdom call out does not understanding raise her voice at the highest point along the way where the paths meet she takes her stand beside the gate leading into the city at the entrance she she cries aloud To You O people I call out I
raise my voice to all Humanity you who are simple gain Prudence you who are foolish set your hearts on it listen for I have trustworthy things to say I open my lips to speak what is right my mouth speaks what is true for my lips detest wickedness all the words of my mouth are just none of them is crooked or perverse to the Discerning all of them are right they are upright to those who have found knowledge choose my instruction instead of silver knowledge rather than Choice gold for wisdom is more precious than rubies and
nothing you desire can compare with her I wisdom dwell together with Prudence I possess knowledge and dis discression to fear the lord is to hate evil I hate pride and arrogance evil behavior and perverse speech counsel and sound judgment are mine I have Insight I have power by me Kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just by me princes govern and Nobles all who rule on Earth I love those who who love me and those who seek me find me with me are riches and honor enduring wealth and prosperity my fruit is better than
fine gold what I yield surpasses Choice silver I walk in the way of righteousness along the paths of Justice bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full the Lord brought me for for as the first of his Works before his deeds of old I was formed long ages ago at the very beginning when the world came to be when there were no watery depths I was given birth when there were no springs overflowing with water before the mountains were settled in place before the hills I was given birth before
he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth I was there when he set the heavens in place when he marked out the Horizon on the face of the deep when he established the clouds above and fixed securely The Fountains of the deep when he gave the sea its boundary so that the waters would not overstep his command and when he marked out the foundations of the earth then I was constantly at his side I was filled with Del light day after day rejoicing always in his presence rejoicing in
his whole world and delighting in the human race now then my children listen to me blessed are those who keep my ways listen to my instruction and be wise do not disregard it blessed are those who listen to me watching daily at my doors waiting at my doorway for those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord but those who fail to find me harm themselves all who hate me love [Music] death Proverbs chapter 9 wisdom has built her house she has set up its Seven Pillars she has prepared her meat and
mixed her wine she has also set her t she has sent out her servants and she calls from the highest point of the city let all who are simple come to my house to those who have no sense she says come eat my food and drink the wine I've mied leave your simple ways and you will live walk in the way of insight whoever corrects a mocker invites insults whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse do do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you rebuke the wise and they will love you instruct the wise and
they will be wiser still teach the righteous and they will add to their learning the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding for through wisdom your days will be many and you years will be added to your life if you are wise your wisdom will reward you if you are a mocker you alone will suffer Folly is an unruly woman she is simple and knows nothing she sits at the door of her house on a seat at the highest point of the city calling out to
those who pass by who go straight on their way let all who are simple come to my house to those who have no sense she says stolen water is sweet food eaten in secret is delicious but little do they know that the Dead are there that her guests are deep in the realm of the Dead [Music]
