-
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
-
My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
-
my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
-
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
-
on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
-
“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
-
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
-
But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
-
since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
-
I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
-
“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
-
Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
-
but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
-
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
-
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
-
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
-
who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
-
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
-
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
-
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
-
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
-
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
-
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
-
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
-
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
