Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbsa of Solomonb son of David, king of Israel:c

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,a d

knowledge and discretione to the young—

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,f

and let the discerning get guidance—

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,g

the sayings and riddlesh of the wise.b i

7 The fear of the Lordj is the beginning of knowledge,

but foolsc despise wisdomk and instruction.l

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

8 Listen, my son,m to your father’sn instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.o

9 They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.p

10 My son, if sinful men enticeq you,

do not give inr to them.s

11 If they say, “Come along with us;

let’s lie in waitt for innocent blood,

let’s ambush some harmless soul;

12 let’s swallowu them alive, like the grave,

and whole, like those who go down to the pit;v

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things

and fill our houses with plunder;

14 cast lots with us;

we will all share the lootw”—

15 my son, do not go along with them,

do not set footx on their paths;y

16 for their feet rush into evil,z

they are swift to shed blood.a

17 How useless to spread a net

where every bird can see it!