may the wise hear and increase learning, and the one who understands gain direction,

If they say - Come with us, - Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us watch in secret for him who is needlessly innocent;

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead),
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

Because I called out and you refused me, I stretched out my hand, yet there is none who heeds.

"But the person who listens to me will live safely and will be secure from the fear of evil."

He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

He keeps watch on the ways which are right, and takes care of those who have the fear of him.

To keep you from the way of evil and the evil man,
From the man who speaks perverse things;

Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

Who are crooked in their ways, And wayward in their paths:

To deliver thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words;

who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God;

None who go to her return again,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—

So that you will walk on the road of those who are good, and the paths of those who are righteous you shall keep.

For those who are upright will dwell [in the] land, and those who are blameless will remain in it.

And those who are wicked will be cut off from the land, and those who are treacherous will be uprooted from it.

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

O the happiness of a man who hath found wisdom, And of a man who bringeth forth understanding.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
Who lives securely beside you.

For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;
But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.

In the path of the wicked do not go; do not walk in the way of those who do evil.

For they are life to those who find them,
And healing and health to all their flesh.

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

May they be yours alone, and not for strangers [who are] with you.

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].

Make yourself free, like the roe from the hand of the archer, and the bird from him who puts a net for her.

Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]
And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].

A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.

winking his eyes, signaling with his feet,
and gesturing with his fingers.

In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord.

A false witness who doth breathe out lies -- And one sending forth contentions between brethren.

So is he who hath gone in unto the wife of his neighbour, None who doth touch her is innocent.

Men do not have a low opinion of a thief who takes food when he is in need of it:

He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.

that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words.

and I saw among the naive -- I discerned among the youths -- a young man who lacked wisdom.

He hath taken the bag of money with him: who can tell when he cometh home?"

For those wounded and made low by her are great in number; and all those who have come to their death through her are a great army.

"It is you, O ye men," sayeth she, "whom I call! Unto you, O ye children of men, lift I up my voice.

Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.

“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.

By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly.

“I love those who love me;
And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.

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

And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways.

“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.

For he who finds me [is] he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh.

“But he who fails to find me or sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love and court death.”

Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.

To call passengers who go right on their ways:

Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,

Poor is he who is working -- a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.

The wise person accepts instructions, but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.

He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,
But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.

He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod is for the back of him who is lacking understanding.

Those who are wise lay up knowledge, but [to] the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.

A traveller to life is he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.

He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.

The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,
But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.

To the upright, the way of the LORD is a place of safety, but it's a place of ruin to those who practice evil.

The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.

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.

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.

He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.

He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness],
But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties].

A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].

The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.

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].

He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life,
But he who pursues evil attains his own death.

The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the Lord,
But those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight!

A fair woman who is without discretion, is as a gold ring in a swine's snout.

There is who is scattering, and yet is increased, And who is keeping back from uprightness, only to want.

The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].

Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing is for the head of him who is selling.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor and grace,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.

He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,
But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.

He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing),
And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted.

The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].

Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.

The good obtains favor from Yahweh, but anyone who schemes, he condemns.

A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.

A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,
But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.

Better is the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.

The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.

As for a fool, {on that very day} he makes his anger known, but he who ignores an insult [is] prudent.

He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right,
But a false witness utters deceit [in court].