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. |