for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."

My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you;

then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you,

For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it.

But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it.

for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.

So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

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

It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

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

for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you.

The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."

Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed,

He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.

Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.

When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you.

So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.

He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away.

He won't regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon."

Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn't know that it will cost his life.

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.

He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.

What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.

The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will.

The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow's borders intact.

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Don't say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.

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

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.