1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,
   for understanding words of insight,
3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
   righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
   knowledge and prudence to the young—
5 let the wise also hear and gain in learning,
   and the discerning acquire skill,
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
   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 child, your father’s instruction,
   and do not reject your mother’s teaching;
9 for they are a fair garland 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, let us lie in wait for blood;
   let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive
   and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.
13 We shall find all kinds of costly things;
   we shall fill our houses with booty.
14 Throw in your lot among us;
   we will all have one purse’—
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.
17 For in vain is the net baited
   while the bird is looking on;
18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!
   and set an ambush—for their own lives!
19 Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain;
   it takes away the life of its possessors.