[15] [back to 136:15] or, Sea of Reeds
[16] [back to 138:1] The word elohim, used here, usually means "God," but can also mean "gods," "princes," or "angels."
[17] [a]back to 145:0] This is an acrostic psalm, with every verse (including the second half of verse 13) starting with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
[18] [back to 145:13] Some manuscripts omit these last two lines.
Proverbs
[1:1] The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
[1:2] to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; [1:3] to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; [1:4] to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: [1:5] that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: [1:6] to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. [1:7] The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. [1:8] My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: [1:9] for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. [1:10] My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. [1:11] If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; [1:12] let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. [1:13] We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil. [1:14] You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse." [1:15] My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, [1:16] for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. [1:17] For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: [1:18] but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. [1:19] So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. [1:20] Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. [1:21] She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: [1:22] "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? [1:23] Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. [1:24] Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; [1:25] but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; [1:26] I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; [1:27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. [1:28] Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; [1:29] because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh. [1:30] They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. [1:31] Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. [1:32] For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. [1:33] But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."