1. The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2. To know wisdom and instruction,to understand words of insight,
3. to receive instruction in wise dealing,in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4. to give prudence to the simple,knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5. Let the wise hear and increase in learning,and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6. to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9. for they are a graceful garland for your headand pendants for your neck.
10. My son, if sinners entice you,do not consent.
11. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12. like Sheol let us swallow them alive,and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13. we shall find all precious goods,we shall fill our houses with plunder;