2They are for knowing wisdom and instruction, and for understanding words of insight.
3They are for receiving the instruction of wisdom, and justice, and judgment, and fairness.
4They give good sense to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the young man.
5A wise person will listen and learn more, and a person of understanding will gain wise guidance.
6They help you understand a proverb and its meaning, the words of the wise and their hard sayings.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not leave your mother's teaching.
9They will be a beautiful crown for your head, and chains around your neck.
10My son, if sinners try to lure you, do not agree.
11They may say, "Come with us. Let us lie in wait to shed blood. Let us hide and wait for someone innocent, for no reason at all."
12"Let us swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down into the pit."
13"We will find all kinds of precious things. We will fill our houses with what we have taken."
14"Throw in your lot with us. We will all share one purse."
15My son, do not walk on the road with them. Keep your foot off their path.
16For their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
17Surely it is useless to spread the net where any bird can see it.
18But these men lie in wait for their own blood. They hide and wait for their own lives.
19That is what happens to everyone who is greedy for gain. Such greed takes away the life of those who have it.
20Wisdom calls out in the street. She lifts her voice in the open places.
21She calls out at the busiest corner, at the entrances of the city gates. In the city she speaks her words, saying,
22"How long, you simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will those who scoff delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?"
23"Turn when I correct you. Look, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you."
24"I called, and you refused. I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention."
25"You ignored all my advice, and you wanted none of my correction."
26"So I also will laugh when disaster strikes you. I will mock when what you dread comes,"
27"when what you dread comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and anguish come upon you."
28"Then they will call to me, but I will not answer. They will look for me early, but they will not find me."
29"For they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD."
30"They wanted none of my advice. They despised all my correction."
31"So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes."
32"For the simple are killed when they turn away, and the comfort of fools destroys them."
33"But whoever listens to me will live safely, and will be at peace, with no fear of evil."