They will be a graceful wreath for your head and a chain for your neck.

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

Let's swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those who go down into the Pit.

We'll find all kinds of valuable wealth, and we'll fill our houses with spoil.

Throw your lot in with us, and all of us will have one purse."

Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds,

Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain it takes away the lives of those who possess it.

"You naive ones, how long will you love naivety And how long will scoffers delight in scoffing or fools hate knowledge?"

Return to my correction! Look, I will pour out my spirit on you, and I will make my words known to you.

because you neglected all my advice and did not want my correction,

I will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when what you fear comes,

"Then they will call out to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

they did not want my advice, and they rejected all my correction.

They will eat the fruit of their way, and they will be filled with their own devices.

Indeed, the waywardness of the naive will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

"But the person who listens to me will live safely and will be secure from the fear of evil."

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

Then you will understand what is right, just, and upright every good path.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will protect you; understanding will watch over you,

This is how you will walk in the way of good men and will keep to the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will live in the land, and people of integrity will remain in it.

But the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted from it.

For they will add length to your days, years to your life, and abundant peace to you.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your produce,

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

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

and they will be life to you and a graceful ornament for your neck.

Then you will travel safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble.

When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.

Indeed, the LORD will be your confidence, and he will keep your foot from being caught.

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you.

The wise will inherit honor, but he holds fools up for ridicule.

Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you.

Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.

Prize her and she will exalt you. Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.

She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will present to you a crown of beauty."

When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.

For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Carefully measure the paths for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.

You will cry out in anguish when your end comes, when your flesh and body are consumed,

and you will say, "How I hated instruction, and my heart rejected correction!

Drink water from your own cistern, and fresh water from your own well.

Like a loving deer, a beautiful doe, let her breasts satisfy you all the time. Be constantly intoxicated by her love.

Indeed, what a man does is always in the LORD's presence, and he weighs all his paths.

The wicked person's iniquities will capture him, and he will be held with the cords of his sin.

He will die for lack of discipline, and he goes astray because of his great folly.

Don't allow yourself to sleep or even to close your eyes.

How long will you lie down, lazy man? When will you get up from your sleep?

and your poverty will come on you like a bandit and your desperation like an armed man.

Therefore, disaster will overtake him suddenly. He will be broken in an instant, and he will never recover.

During your travels wisdom will lead you; she will watch over you while you rest; and when you are startled from your sleep, she will commune with you.

Do not focus on her beauty in your mind, nor allow her to take you prisoner with her flirting eyes,

So also is it with someone who has sex with his neighbor's wife; anyone touching her will not remain unpunished.

He will receive a beating and dishonor, and his shame won't disappear,

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.

All of a sudden he follows her like an ox fit for slaughter or like a fool fit for a trap

"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind!

Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right.

By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries."

She has sent out her young women, while calling out from the heights of the city,

Whoever corrects a mocker invites only insult, and whoever rebukes the wicked will himself become stained.

Don't rebuke a mocker or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you.

Counsel a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will add to his learning.

For because of me you will live a long life, and years will be added to your life.

If you are wise, your wisdom will assist you. If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

Nothing good comes from ill-gotten wealth, but righteousness delivers from death.

The LORD won't cause the righteous to hunger, but he will reject what the wicked crave.

The reputation of the righteous leads to blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

The wise person accepts commands, but the chattering fool will be brought down.

Whoever walks in integrity lives prudently, but whoever perverts his way of life will be exposed.

Those who wink their eyes are trouble makers, and the mocking fool will be brought down.

Hatred awakens contention, but love covers all transgressions.

What the wicked fears will come about, but the longing of the righteous will be granted.

Fearing the LORD prolongs life, but the wicked will not live long.

The righteous will never be overthrown, but the wicked will never inhabit the land.

The words of the righteous overflow with wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

Wealth won't help in the time of judgment, but righteousness will deliver from death.

Securing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering, but by refusing to do so, one remains safe.

Genuine righteousness leads to life, but whoever pursues evil will die.

Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will go free.

A generous person will prosper, and anyone who gives water will receive a flood in return.

People will curse whoever withholds grain, but blessing will come to whoever is selling.

The person seeking good will find favor, but anyone who searches for evil it will find him!

The person who trusts in his wealth will fall, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.

If the righteous receive what they are due here on earth, how much more will the wicked and the sinner.

The good person will gain favor from the LORD, but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.

A man is praised because of his wise words, but the perverted mind will be despised.

Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat, but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.

By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied, and a man's handiwork will reward him.

The diligent will take control, but the lazy will be put to forced labor.