Proverbs 1:1-20 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)

1

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

2

To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding,

3

To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity;

4

To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—

5

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

6

To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8

My son, hear the instruction of your father,

9

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

10

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

11

If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

12

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;

13

We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil;

14

Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”—

15

My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;

16

For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.

17

Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird;

18

But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.

19

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

20

Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.