The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

for they will be a garland to grace your head, and a necklace around your neck.

If they say, "Come with us, Let's lie in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.

For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

but these lie in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD.

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."

Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding;

If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:

then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;

For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead.

For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it.

for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.

Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

for whom the LORD loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

Do not be afraid of sudden fear, or of the storm of the wicked when it comes:

for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.

for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law.

For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body.

Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,

Remove your way far from her. Do not come near the door of her house,

Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD. He examines all his paths.

He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

For the commandment is a lamp, and the Law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life.

Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned?

For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.

For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey.

for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

Stay away from a foolish man, for you won't find knowledge on his lips.

Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.

The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

The LORD has made everything for its own end?yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.