Proverbs 1:1-7 - Prologue

¹ The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: ² to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; ³ to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; ⁴ to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: ⁵ that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: ⁶ to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

¹ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

¹ That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life ² (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); ³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.

¹ This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, ² who testified to God's word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw. ³ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.