The Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–7)
1 Brenton Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. BSB BSB: Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 Brenton She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. BSB BSB: She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 Brenton She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, BSB BSB: She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.
4 Brenton Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says, BSB BSB: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
5 Brenton Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you. BSB BSB: “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Brenton Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. BSB BSB: Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 Brenton He that reproves evil men shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. BSB BSB: He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8 Brenton Rebuke not evil men , lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man , and he will love thee. BSB BSB: Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Brenton Give an opportunity to a wise man , and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction . BSB BSB: Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10 Brenton The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: BSB BSB: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Brenton for to know the law is the character of a sound mind. For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee. BSB BSB: For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 Brenton Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. BSB BSB: If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
The Way of Folly 13 Brenton He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their flight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a land appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands. A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel. BSB BSB: The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14 Brenton She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets, BSB BSB: She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,
15 Brenton calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways; BSB BSB: calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
16 Brenton saying , Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,BSB BSB: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
17 Brenton Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft. BSB BSB: “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18 Brenton But he knows that mighty men die by her, and he falls in with a snare of hell. BSB BSB: But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.