The proverbs of David's son Solomon, king of Israel.

My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not let go of your mother's teaching.

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

My son, do not go along with them, and keep your feet away from their paths!

My son, if you accept my words, and treasure my instructions

My son, don't forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind.

My son, do not reject the LORD's discipline, and do not despise his correction,

because the LORD corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in.

My son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,

When I was a son to my father, not yet strong and an only son to my mother,

Listen, my son: accept my words, and you'll live a long, long time.

My son, pay attention to my words, and listen closely to what I say.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, and listen closely to my insight,

Why should you be intoxicated by an adulteress, my son, and embrace the bosom of a foreign woman?

The wicked person's iniquities will capture him, and he will be held with the cords of his sin.

My son, if you guarantee a loan for your neighbor, if you have agreed to a deal with a stranger,

then do this, my son, and deliver yourself, because you have come under your neighbor's control. Go, humble yourself! Plead passionately with your neighbor!

Keep your father's commands, my son, and never forsake your mother's rules,

My son, guard what I say and treasure my commands.

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grieves his mother.

Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely, but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.

A wise son heeds a father's correction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Whoever does not discipline his son hates him, but whoever loves him is diligent to correct him.

Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin diminishes any people.

A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother.

A father's ruin is a foolish son, and a wife's quarreling is like dripping water that never stops.

Discipline your son while there is still hope but don't set your heart on his destruction.

Whoever mistreats his father and alienates his mother is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.

My son, if you stop listening to instruction, you will stray from the principles of knowledge.

Who can say, "My intentions are pure; I am clean from any sin?"

A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.

My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will greatly rejoice.

Listen, my son, and be wise, commit yourself to live God's way.

The father of a righteous person will greatly rejoice; whoever fathers a wise son will be glad because of him.

Give me your heart, my son, and keep your eyes fixed on my ways,

To devise folly is sin, and people detest a scoffer.

My son, eat honey, because it's good for you; indeed, drippings from the honeycomb are sweet to your taste;

My son, fear both the LORD and the king, and don't keep company with rebels.

for it is better that it be told you, "Come up here," than for you to be placed lower in the presence of an official. What you've seen with your own eyes,

Like cold snow during harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters.

Be wise, my son, and make me happy, so I can reply to anyone who insults me.

Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father.

Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, "It's no sin," is a companion to someone who demolishes.

Correct your son and he will comfort you; he will also delight your soul.

Who has ascended to heaven, and then descended? Who has collected the wind in his hands? Who has wrapped up waters in a garment? Who has established all the farthest points of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!

No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth!