1 Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel,

2 to know wisdom and instruction, to understand the utterances of understanding;

3 to learn the rules of prudence, justice, judgment and righteousness;

4 to give wisdom to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the youth;

5 The wise will listen, and will increase knowledge, and the prudent will find wise counsel;

6 To understand the parable, and the intricate speech, the words of the wise men, and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; [good understanding in all who are led by it; and reverence for God is the beginning of understanding;] fools only despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hearken, my son, to the instruction of thy father, and do not reject the covenant of thy mother,

9 For it is a beautiful crown for thy head, and an ornament for thy neck.

10 My son! if sinners persuade you, do not consent;

11 If they say, 'Come with us, let us lay an ambush for the murder, let us lie in wait for the blameless without guilt,

12 Alive we will swallow them up as hell, and whole them as those who descend into the grave;

13 Let us gather up all kinds of precious goods, let us fill our houses with spoils;

14 Thy lot thou shalt cast with us, and we shall all have one storehouse,"

15 My son! Thou shalt not go on a journey with them, but keep thy foot from their path;

16 for their feet run to evil, and hasten to shed blood.

17 In the eyes of all the birds a snare is set in vain,

18 And they lay in wait for their blood, and lie in wait for their souls.

19 Such are the ways of everyone who covets the goods of others: they take away the life of him who possesses them.

20 Wisdom cries out in the streets, lifts up her voice in the squares,

21 In the chief places of assembly he preacheth, at the entrances of the city gates he speaketh his speech: