---
title: "Proverbs 1 — World English Bible | Favorite Scriptures"
description: "Read Proverbs 1 in the World English Bible. Free Bible reading, no account needed. Browse books and chapters, then save favorite passages in your personal library."
last_updated: "2026-10-08"
doc_version: "1"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://favoritescriptures.com/bible/proverbs/1"
---

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World English Bible

# Proverbs 1

[1](#verse-1) The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

[2](#verse-2) to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

[3](#verse-3) to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

[4](#verse-4) to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

[5](#verse-5) that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

[6](#verse-6) to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

[7](#verse-7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

[8](#verse-8) My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

[9](#verse-9) for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

[10](#verse-10) My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

[11](#verse-11) If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lie in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.

[12](#verse-12) Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

[13](#verse-13) We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

[14](#verse-14) You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse”—

[15](#verse-15) my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

[16](#verse-16) for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

[17](#verse-17) For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;

[18](#verse-18) but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

[19](#verse-19) So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

[20](#verse-20) Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

[21](#verse-21) She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

[22](#verse-22) “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

[23](#verse-23) Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

[24](#verse-24) Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

[25](#verse-25) but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

[26](#verse-26) I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,

[27](#verse-27) when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you.

[28](#verse-28) Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,

[29](#verse-29) because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.

[30](#verse-30) They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

[31](#verse-31) Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

[32](#verse-32) For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

[33](#verse-33) But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”

[← Psalms 150](/bible/psalms/150)[Proverbs 2 →](/bible/proverbs/2)

World English Bible · Public domain

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