For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

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

Don't be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:

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

For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright.

for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.

For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

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

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,

Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house,

Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths.

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

My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life.

Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned?

For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance.

For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.

For my husband isn't at home. He has gone on a long journey.

for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.

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

For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

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

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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.

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

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

The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

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

The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

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

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

Stay away from a foolish man, for you won't find knowledge on his lips.

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

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

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

The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

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

Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

Yahweh has made everything for its own end -- yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Discipline your son, for there is hope; don't be a willing party to his death.

A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.

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

Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

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

Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

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

Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.

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

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

Don't you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.

Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.

for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.