Proverbs 1:1-19

These are the wise words of Solomon son of David, king of Israel. They teach wisdom and self-control; they will help you understand wise words. They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled and will teach you to do what is honest and fair and right. They make the uneducated wise and give knowledge and sense to the young. Wise people can also listen and learn; even they can find good advice in these words. Then anyone can understand wise words and stories, the words of the wise and their riddles. Knowledge begins with respect for the LORD, but fools hate wisdom and discipline. My child, listen to your father’s teaching and do not forget your mother’s advice. Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair or a necklace around your neck. My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them. They will say, “Come with us. Let’s ambush and kill someone; let’s attack some innocent people just for fun. Let’s swallow them alive, as death does; let’s swallow them whole, as the grave does. We will take all kinds of valuable things and fill our houses with stolen goods. Come join us, and we will share with you stolen goods.” My child, do not go along with them; do not do what they do. They are eager to do evil and are quick to kill. It is useless to spread out a net right where the birds can see it. But sinners will fall into their own traps; they will only catch themselves! All greedy people end up this way; greed kills selfish people.