Advice to the Young.....Wisdom Calls Proverb 1:2-33

 Good News Translation  Proverb 1:2-33

 
² Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning. 
³ They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair. 
⁴ They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful. 
⁵ These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated, 
⁶ so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise. 
⁷ To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.
⁸ My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you.  
⁹ Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance.
¹⁰ My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in.  
¹¹ Suppose they say, “Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it!  
¹² They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them!  
¹³ We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot!  
¹⁴ Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal.”
¹⁵ My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them.  
¹⁶ They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill. 
¹⁷ It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching,  
¹⁸ but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die. ¹⁹ Robbery always claims the life of the robber—this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.
²⁰ Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces,  
²¹ calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:
²² “Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn? 
²³ Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you. ²⁴ I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. 
²⁵ You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.  
²⁶ So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes— ²⁷ when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery.  
²⁸ Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. 
²⁹ You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord.  
³⁰ You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.  
³¹ So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick. ³² Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.  
³³ But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.”