Throw in your lot with us [they insist];
We will all have one money bag [in common],”

“Because I called and you refused [to answer],
I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.

For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.

“I have not listened to the voice of my teachers,
Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me.

For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].

My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,
If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],

Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation];
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].

“So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],
Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.

“I have spread my couch with coverings and cushions of tapestry,
With colored fine linen of Egypt.

“I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power and strength are mine.

“Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].

Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],
But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].

The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].

Desire realized is sweet to the soul;
But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].

In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin?”

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].

He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

So that your trust and reliance and confidence may be in the Lord,
I have taught these things to you today, even to you.

Have I not written to you excellent things
In counsels and knowledge,

If you have nothing with which to pay [another’s debt when he defaults],
Why should his creditor take your bed from under you?

Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]
Which your fathers have set.

The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up,
And you will waste your compliments.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Or he who hears it will shame you
And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end.

Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.

He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.

He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.

He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will find him to be a son in the end.

Surely I am more brutish and stupid than any man,
And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].

I have not learned [skillful and godly] wisdom,
Nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One [who is the source of wisdom].

Two things I have asked of You;
Do not deny them to me before I die:

This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth
And says, “I have done no wrong.”

The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in groups;

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

“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
But you excel them all.”