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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.
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They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
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“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
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turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
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For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
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For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
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Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
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Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
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but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
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Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
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for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
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Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
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in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
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Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
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This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
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Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
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then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
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My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
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they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
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Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
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When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
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Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
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Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.
