Proverbs 1

¹These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

²for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,

³and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

⁴To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,

⁵let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

⁶by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

⁸Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

⁹For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.

¹¹If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,

¹²let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

¹³We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder.

¹⁴Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”—

¹⁵my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.