'Love' in the Bible

“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning?How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;Love her, and she will watch over you.

Let her be as a loving hind and graceful doe,Let her breasts refresh and satisfy you at all times;Always be exhilarated and delight in her love.

“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;Let us console and delight ourselves with love.

“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.

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

Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you;Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.

Hatred stirs up strife,But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].

A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him;Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].

Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is presentThan a fattened ox served with hatred.

By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.

Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.

Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]Than love that is hidden.