Proverbs 1:8-19

Common English Bible

⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction;
    don’t neglect your mother’s teaching;
⁹         for they are a graceful wreath on your head,
        and beads for your neck.
¹⁰ My son, don’t let sinners entice you.
    Don’t go
¹¹     when they say:
        “Come with us.
        Let’s set up a deadly ambush.
        Let’s secretly wait for the innocent just for fun.
¹²         Let’s swallow up the living like the grave^[a]—
        whole, like those who go down into the pit.
¹³         We’ll find all sorts of precious wealth;
        we’ll fill our houses with plunder.
¹⁴         Throw in your lot with us;
        we’ll share our money.”
¹⁵ My son, don’t go on the path with them;
    keep your feet from their way,
¹⁶     because their feet run to evil;
            they hurry to spill blood.
¹⁷ It’s useless to cast a net
    in the sight of a bird.
¹⁸ But these sinners set up a deadly ambush;
    they lie in wait for their own lives.
¹⁹ These are the ways of all who seek unjust gain;
    it costs them their lives.