If they say, “Come with us;
Let us lie in wait to shed blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners,
Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].

“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—

My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction)
And do not reject the teaching of your mother;

For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light,
And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

Keep my commandments and live,
And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye.

The [malevolent] words of the wicked lie in wait for [innocent] blood [to slander],
But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them.

A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness speaks lies.

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not destroy his resting place;

Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.

He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].

He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

The ants are not a strong people,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

If you have foolishly exalted yourself,
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,
And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].