Proverbs 1:7-19 - Advice To The Young

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

⁸ My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not let go of your mother's teaching. ⁹ They will be a graceful wreath for your head and a chain for your neck. ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. ¹¹ If they say, "Come with us! Let's lie in wait for blood; let's ambush some innocent person for no reason at all. ¹² Let's swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those who go down into the Pit. ¹³ We'll find all kinds of valuable wealth, and we'll fill our houses with spoil. ¹⁴ Throw your lot in with us, and all of us will have one purse." ¹⁵ My son, do not go along with them, and keep your feet away from their paths! ¹⁶ For they run toward evil; these enticers shed blood without hesitation. ¹⁷ Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds, ¹⁸ but these people lie in wait for their own blood. They ambush only themselves. ¹⁹ Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain it takes away the lives of those who possess it.