1. Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2. To know wisdom and instruction, to understand sayings of understanding,
3. to gain insightful instruction, righteousness and justice and equity,
4. to give shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and purpose to the young,
5. may the wise hear and increase learning, and the one who understands gain direction,
6. to understand a proverb and an expression, words of wisdom and their riddles.
7. Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction, fools despise.
8. My child, may you keep your father’s instruction, and do not reject your mother’s teachings,
9. for they are a garland of favor for your head, and pendants for your neck.
10. My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11. If they say, “Come with us! We shall lie in wait for blood; we shall ambush the innocent without cause.
12. Like Sheol, we will swallow them alive and whole, like those who descend to the pit.
13. We shall find all precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with booty,
14. you shall throw your lot in our midst, there will be one purse for all of us.”
15. My child, do not walk in their way. Keep your foot from their paths,
16. for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood,