If they say, "Come with us! Let's lie in wait for blood; let's ambush some innocent person for no reason at all.

"Because I called out to you and you refused to respond I appealed, but no one paid attention

then you will understand the fear of the LORD and learn to know God.

so your barns will be filled with abundance, and your vats will burst open with new wine.

Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, and they do not know what they are stumbling over.

Now, children, listen to me. Don't turn away from what I am saying.

Now I am at the point of utter disaster in the assembly and in the congregation."

It has no commander, officer, or ruler,

because jealousy incites a strong man's rage, and he will show no mercy when it's time for revenge.

He will not consider any payment, nor will he be willing to accept it, no matter how large the bribe.

Now she is in the street, now in the plazas, she lurks near every corner.

I've decorated my bed with new coverings embroidered linen from Egypt.

"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet.

When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs.

Righteous lips know what is prudent, but the words of the wicked are perverse.

No harm overwhelms the righteous, but the wicked overflow with trouble.

In the pathway to righteousness there is life, and in that lifestyle there is no death.

The life of a wealthy man may be held for ransom, but whoever is poor receives no threats.

Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but profits come through the strength of the ox.

The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live, but a fool's stupidity deceives him.

Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning even fools know this.

The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow the father of a fool has no joy.

A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express his own opinion.

The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.

No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

"They struck me," you will say, "but I never felt it. They beat me, but I never knew it When will I wake up? I want another drink."

If you say, "Look here, we didn't know about this," doesn't God, who examines motives, discern it? Doesn't the one who guards your soul know about it? Won't he repay each person according to what he has done?

For the wicked man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

Never brag about the day to come, because you don't know what it might bring.

When the grass disappears, and new growth appears, the mountain spices will be harvested,

The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion.

A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him.

Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, "It's no sin," is a companion to someone who demolishes.

The righteous person is concerned about the poor; but the wicked don't understand what they need to know.

By mere words a servant will not be corrected; even though he understands, there will be no response.

I never acquired wisdom, but I know what the Holy One knows.

Who has ascended to heaven, and then descended? Who has collected the wind in his hands? Who has wrapped up waters in a garment? Who has established all the farthest points of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!

Locusts have no king, but they all swarm in ranks.

No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth!

Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more.