Proverbs 4-9
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 4
1Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding, 2For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. 3When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, 4He taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart take hold of my words; Keep my commandments and live; 5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire understanding. 8Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.' 10Listen, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. 11I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; And if you run, you will not stumble. 13Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. 14Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil people. 15Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. 20My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21They are not to escape from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, And healing to all their body. 23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth And keep devious speech far from you. 25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established. 27Do not turn to the right or to the left; Turn your foot from evil.Chapter 5
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding, 2So that you may maintain discretion And your lips may comply with knowledge. 3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, And her speech is smoother than oil; 4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol. 6 She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it. 7Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 8Keep your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, 9Otherwise you will give your vigor to others, And your years to the cruel one; 10And strangers will be filled with your strength, And your hard-earned possessions will go to the house of a foreigner; 11And you will groan in the end, When your flesh and your body are consumed; 12And you say, 'How I hated instruction! And my heart disdainfully rejected rebuke! 13I did not listen to the voice of my teachers, Nor incline my ear to my instructors! 14I was almost in total ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation.' 15Drink water from your own cistern, And fresh water from your own well. 16Should your springs overflow into the street, Streams of water in the public squares? 17Let them be yours alone, And not for strangers with you. 18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 Like a loving doe and a graceful mountain goat, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love. 20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress, And embrace the breasts of a foreigner? 21For the ways of everyone are before the eyes of the Lord, And He observes all his paths. 22His own wrongdoings will trap the wicked, And he will be held by the ropes of his sin. 23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray.Chapter 6
1My son, if you have become a guarantor for your neighbor, Or have given a handshake for a stranger, 2 If you have been ensnared by the words of your mouth, Or caught by the words of your mouth, 3Then do this, my son, and save yourself: Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and be urgent with your neighbor to free yourself. 4Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; 5Save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6Go to the ant, you lazy one, Observe its ways and be wise, 7Which, having no chief, Officer, or ruler, 8Prepares its food in the summer And gathers its provision in the harvest. 9How long will you lie down, you lazy one? When will you arise from your sleep? 10'A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,' 11Then your poverty will come in like a drifter, And your need like an armed man. 12A worthless person, a wicked man, Is one who walks with a perverse mouth, 13Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers; 14Who, with perversion in his heart, continually devises evil, Who spreads strife. 15Therefore his disaster will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing. 16There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him: 17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19A false witness who declares lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. 20My son, comply with the commandment of your father, And do not ignore the teaching of your mother; 21Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22When you walk, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. 23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And rebukes for discipline are the way of life 24To keep you from the evil woman, From the smooth tongue of the foreign woman. 25Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids. 26For the price of a prostitute reduces one to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts for a precious life. 27Can anyone take fire in his lap And his clothes not be burned? 28Or can a person walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched? 29So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished. 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; 31But when he is found, he must repay seven times as much; He must give up all the property of his house. 32One who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself commits it. 33He will find wounds and disgrace, And his shame will not be removed. 34For jealousy enrages a man, And he will not have compassion on the day of vengeance. 35He will not accept any settlement, Nor will he be satisfied though you make it a large gift.Chapter 7
1My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. 2Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' And call understanding your intimate friend, 5So that they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. 6For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, 7And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense, 8Passing through the street near her corner; And he walks along the way to her house, 9In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and the darkness. 10And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a prostitute and cunning of heart. 11She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; 12 She is now in the streets, now in the public squares, And lurks by every corner. 13So she seizes him and kisses him, And with a brazen face she says to him: 14'I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. 15Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence diligently, and I have found you. 16I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. 17I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning; Let’s delight ourselves with caresses. 19For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey. 20He has taken a bag of money with him. At the full moon he will come home.' 21With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. 22Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one walks in ankle bracelets to the discipline of a fool, 23Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hurries to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths. 26For many are the victims she has brought to ruin, And numerous are all those slaughtered by her. 27Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death.Chapter 8
1Does not wisdom call, And understanding raise her voice? 2On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 4'To you, people, I call, And my voice is to mankind. 5You naive ones, understand prudence; And, you fools, understand wisdom! 6Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. 7For my mouth will proclaim truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. 9They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10Accept my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. 12'I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion. 13The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. 14Advice is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. 17I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. 18Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold; And my yield better than choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. 22'The Lord created me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23From eternity I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24When there were no ocean depths, I was born, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was born; 26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. 27When He established the heavens, I was there; When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29When He set a boundary for the sea So that the water would not violate His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was His delight daily, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of mankind. 32'Now then, sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Listen to instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34Blessed is the person who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35For one who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord. 36But one who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.'Chapter 9
1Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars; 2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 3She has sent out her attendants, she calls out From the tops of the heights of the city: 4'Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!' To him who lacks understanding she says, 5'Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Abandon your foolishness and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.' 7One who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And one who rebukes a wicked person gets insults for himself. 8Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you. 9Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser; Teach a righteous person and he will increase his insight. 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will suffer from it. 13 A woman of foolishness is boisterous, She has a lack of understanding and knows nothing. 14She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, 15Calling to those who pass by, Who are going straight on their paths: 16'Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,' And to him who lacks understanding she says, 17'Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.' 18But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.King James Version
12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Chapter 6
1My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
21With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 4
1Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, 2for I am giving you good instruction. Don’t abandon my teaching. 3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother, 4he taught me and said: "Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth. 6Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. 7Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. 9She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty." 10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life. 14Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. 15Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by. 16For they can’t sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. 19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble. 20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 24Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.Chapter 5
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen closely to my understanding 2so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge. 3Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, 4in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps head straight for Sheol.
6She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable.
7So now, sons, listen to me, and don’t turn away from the words from my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her. Don’t go near the door of her house.
9Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others and your years to someone cruel;
10strangers will drain your resources, and your hard-earned pay will end up in a foreigner’s house.
11At the end of your life, you will lament when your physical body has been consumed,
12and you will say, "How I hated discipline, and how my heart despised correction.
13I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closely to my instructors.
14I am on the verge of complete ruin before the entire community."
15Drink water from your own cistern, water flowing from your own well.
16Should your springs flow in the streets, streams in the public squares?
17They should be for you alone and not for you to share with strangers.
18Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.
19A loving deer, a graceful doe — let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever.
20Why, my son, would you lose yourself with a forbidden woman or embrace a wayward woman?
21For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and he considers all his paths.
22A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.
23He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity.
Chapter 6
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger, 2you have been snared by the words of your mouth trapped by the words from your mouth. 3Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor. 4Don’t give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. 5Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a hunter’s trap. 6Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. 7Without leader, administrator, or ruler, 8it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. 9How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? 10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 11and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. 12A worthless person, a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly, 13winking his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers. 14He always plots evil with perversity in his heart; he stirs up trouble. 15Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly, beyond recovery. 16The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: 17arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, 19a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. 20My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching. 21Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck. 22When you walk here and there, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you. 23For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life. 24They will protect you from an evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a wayward woman. 25Don’t lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyelashes. 26For a prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread, but the wife of another man goes after a precious life. 27Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? 28Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet? 29So it is with the one who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30People don’t despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry. 31Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much; he must give up all the wealth in his house. 32The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself. 33He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed. 34For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35He will not be appeased by anything or be persuaded by lavish bribes.Chapter 7
1My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands. 2Keep my commands and live, and guard my instructions as you would the pupil of your eye. 3Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your relative. 5She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a wayward woman with her flattering talk. 6At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. 7I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. 8Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house 9at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. 10A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. 11She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home. 12Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. 13She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him, 14"I’ve made fellowship offerings; today I’ve fulfilled my vows. 15So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I’ve found you. 16I’ve spread coverings on my bed — richly colored linen from Egypt. 17I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let’s feast on each other’s love! 19My husband isn’t home; he went on a long journey. 20He took a bag of silver with him and will come home at the time of the full moon." 21She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. 22He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap
23until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare — he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
24Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth.
25Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths.
26For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless.
27Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.
Chapter 8
1Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? 2At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: 4"People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. 5Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. 6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. 7For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. 8All the words from my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. 9All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. 10Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can equal it. 12I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness and have knowledge and discretion. 13To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. 14I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength. 15It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; 16by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges. 17I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. 18With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. 20I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
22"The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago.
23I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.
24I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water.
25Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth—
26before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.
27I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,
28when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.
30I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him.
31I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam.
32"And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy.
33Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it.
34Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,
36but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
Chapter 9
1Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. 2She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her female servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city: 4"Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says, 5"Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding. 7The one who corrects a mocker will bring abuse on himself; the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. 8Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke the wise, and he will love you.
9Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more.
10"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For by me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences."
13Folly is a rowdy woman; she is gullible and knows nothing.
14She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths:
16"Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17"Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!"
18But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
New Living Translation
Chapter 4
1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. 3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4My father taught me, 'Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.
5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.
9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.'
10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
Chapter 5
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. 3For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 4But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.
7So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say:
8Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house!
9If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
10Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
11In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body.
12You will say, 'How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.'
15Drink water from your own well — share your love only with your wife.
16Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?
17You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.
18Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.
20Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?
21For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
Chapter 6
1My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger — 2if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said — 3follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. 5Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
6Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!
7Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,
8they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.
9But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?
10A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest —
11then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
12What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars,
13signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
14Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.
15But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.
16There are six things the Lord hates — no, seven things he detests:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
18a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
19a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
20My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.
23For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.
24It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
25Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
26For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
27Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?
28Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?
29So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
30Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving.
31But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.
32But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.
33He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.
34For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.
Chapter 7
1Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. 2Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. 3Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
5Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
6While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,
7I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.
8He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house.
9It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell.
10The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home.
12She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.
13She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,
14'I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.
15You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!
16My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
17I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,
19for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip.
20He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. '
21So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery.
22He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,
23awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.
24So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words.
25Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path.
26For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.
27Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.
Chapter 8
1Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! 2On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 3By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, 4'I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. 5You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. 6Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, 7for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. 8My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. 9My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. 10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12'I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.
14Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
15Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.
16Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
17'I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
18I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!
20I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
21Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.
22'The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.
23I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
24I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born —
26before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.
27I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
28I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.
29I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
30I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.
31And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!
32'And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.
34Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!
35For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.
36But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.'
Chapter 9
1Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4'Come in with me,' she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5'Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.'
7Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
11Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.
12If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
13The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
14She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.
15She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.
16'Come in with me,' she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17'Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!'
18But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.
English Standard Version
Chapter 4
1 Hear, O sons, a father 's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 3When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 8Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 9She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown." 10 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. 11I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. 12When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. 16For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. 20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.Chapter 5
1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, 2that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. 3For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, 9lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, 10lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, 11and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, 12and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! 13I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. 14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation." 15Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. 16Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. 18Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. 20Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? 21For a man 's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. 22The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.Chapter 6
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, 2if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, 3then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. 4 Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; 5save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. 12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, 13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, 14with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; 15therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. 16There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. 20 My son, keep your father 's commandment, and forsake not your mother 's teaching. 21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. 23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, 24to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; 26for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. 27Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? 28Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? 29So is he who goes in to his neighbor 's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished. 30People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, 31but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. 32He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. 33He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. 34For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. 35He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.Chapter 7
1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight your intimate friend, 5to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. 6For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, 7and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, 8passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house 9in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. 10And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. 11She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; 12now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. 13She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, 14"I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; 15so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. 16I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; 20he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home." 21With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. 22All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast 23till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 25Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, 26for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. 27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.Chapter 8
1Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4"To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. 5O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. 6Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, 7for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. 14I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. 15By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, 21granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22 "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. 32"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 36but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."Chapter 9
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, 5"Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight." 7Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 11For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. 13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. 14She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, 15calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, 16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says, 17 "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." 18But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.New International Version
Chapter 4
1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."
10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Chapter 5
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, 2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
6She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
9lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel,
10lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.
11At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
12You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
13I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.
14And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people."
15Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
23For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
Chapter 6
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. 3So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest! 4Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
11and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
12A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict.
15Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
16There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
20My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.
22When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
23For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
25Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
26For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.
27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
28Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
33Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
34For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.
Chapter 7
1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative."
5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.
7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
14"Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."
21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
Chapter 8
1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 4"To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. 6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. 10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.
17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22"The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.
27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32"Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death."
Chapter 9
1Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. 2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4"Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, 5"Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight."
7Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
16"Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says,
17"Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"
18But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
New King James Version
