Proverbs 1:7-19

New International Version

⁷The fear of the Lord^(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[a] despise wisdom^(B) and instruction.^(C)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

⁸Listen, my son,^(D) to your father’s^(E) instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.^(F)
⁹They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.^(G)

¹⁰My son, if sinful men entice^(H) you,
    do not give in^(I) to them.^(J)
¹¹If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait^(K) for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
¹²let’s swallow^(L) them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;^(M)
¹³we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
¹⁴cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot^(N)”—
¹⁵my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot^(O) on their paths;^(P)
¹⁶for their feet rush into evil,^(Q)
    they are swift to shed blood.^(R)
¹⁷How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
¹⁸These men lie in wait^(S) for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!^(T)
¹⁹Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.^(U)