Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.

my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Warning Against Adultery

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?

Warnings Against Folly

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!

Warning Against Adultery

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Saying 14

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;

Saying 16

Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

Saying 18

My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,

Saying 26

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

Saying 30

Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!