1. The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2. to acquire wisdom and discipline, to understand the words of insight,
3. to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and fairness,
4. to give discernment to the naïve, knowledge and discretion to the youth
5. (let the wise listen and increase learning and the discerning obtain wise counsel)
6. to understand a proverb and a puzzle, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
7. The fear of Adonai is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
9. For they are a garland of grace for your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in.
11. Suppose they say: “Come with us! Let’s lie in wait for blood! Let’s ambush the innocent— for no reason!
12. Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol— still healthy, as they go down to the Pit!
13. We’ll find all sorts of valuable things, we’ll fill our homes with loot!