7. The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps. 111:10.]
8. My son, hear the instruction of your father; reject not nor forsake the teaching of your mother.
9. For they are a [victor's] chaplet (garland) of grace upon your head and chains and pendants [of gold worn by kings] for your neck.
10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. [Ps. 1:1; Eph. 5:11.]
11. If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain];
12. Let us swallow them up alive as does Sheol (the place of the dead), and whole, as those who go down into the pit [of the dead];
13. We shall find and take all kinds of precious goods [when our victims are put out of the way], we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14. Throw in your lot with us [they insist] and be a sworn brother and comrade; let us all have one purse in common–
15. My son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path;
16. For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17. For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird!
18. But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.