Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.

he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live.

Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many.

Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.

in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord's eyes, and the Lord weighs all that person's paths.

There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil,

Keep my commands so that you may live, and obey my instruction as your most prized possession.

so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words.

That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I found you!

Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare

till an arrow pierces his liver -- like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life.

that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and that I may fill their treasuries.

when he gave the sea his decree that the waters should not pass over his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Listen to my instruction so that you may be wise, and do not neglect it.

Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding."

But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Be assured that the evil person will certainly be punished, but the descendants of the righteous will not suffer unjust judgment.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

The Lord abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.

The one who gives an answer before he listens -- that is his folly and his shame.

Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.

The ear that hears and the eye that sees -- the Lord has made them both.

Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.

Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

So that your confidence may be in the Lord, I am making them known to you today -- even you.

to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

Do not crave that ruler's delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down.

Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.

Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

Like a bird that wanders from its nest, so is a person who wanders from his home.

Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me.

The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him.

Many people seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.

The leech has two daughters: "Give! Give!" There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough" --

the grave, the barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, "Enough!"

The eye that mocks at a father and despises obeying a mother -- the ravens of the valley will peck it out and the young vultures will eat it.

There are three things that are too wonderful for me, four that I do not understand:

There are four things on earth that are small, but they are exceedingly wise:

There are three things that are magnificent in their step, four things that move about magnificently:

The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.

She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.