Lyrics

[Verse 1]
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair,
to give shrewdness to the naive, knowledge and discretion to the young,
for the wise to listen and add to their learning, and for the discerning to acquire guidance,
to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[Chorus]
Christ Jesus has become to us wisdom from God,
righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
[Verse 2]
Listen, my child, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland of grace for your head
and pendants for your neck.
My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood,
let us ambush the innocent without cause;
let us swallow them alive like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will find all kinds of precious wealth,
we will fill our houses with spoil;
throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”—
my child, do not walk in the way with them;
keep your foot from their path,
for their feet run to evil,
and they hurry to shed blood.
[Bridge]
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
[Verse 3]
For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,
but these lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush their own lives.
Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
[Chorus]
Christ Jesus has become to us wisdom from God,
righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
[Verse 4]
Wisdom cries aloud in the street;
in the public squares she gives her voice.
At the head of the noisy streets she calls out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, you naive ones, will you love being naive?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
Turn at my rebuke. Behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
[Verse 5]
Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
I in turn will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
[Bridge]
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
[Verse 6]
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
[Verse 7]
For the turning away of the naive will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
[Final Chorus]
Christ Jesus has become to us wisdom from God,
righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
whoever listens will dwell secure,
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.