8 (A)Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are (B)a graceful garland for your head and (C)pendants for your neck. 10 My son, if sinners (D)entice you, do not consent. 11 If they say, “Come with us, (E)let us lie in wait for blood; (F)let us ambush the innocent without reason; 12 like Sheol let us (G)swallow them alive, and whole, like (H)those who go down to the pit; 13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; 14 throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— 15 my son, (I)do not walk in the way with them; (J)hold back your foot from their paths, 16 for (K)their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. 17 (L)For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, 18 but these men (M)lie in wait for their own blood; they (N)set an ambush for their own lives. 19 (O)Such are the ways of everyone who is (P)greedy for unjust gain; (Q)it takes away the life of its possessors.
2 (A)My son, (B)if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice (C)for understanding, 4 if you seek it like (D)silver and search for it as for (E)hidden treasures, 5 then (F)you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
3 (A)My son, do not forget my teaching, (B)but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for (C)length of days and years of life and (D)peace they will add to you.
3 Let not (E)steadfast love and (F)faithfulness forsake you; (G)bind them around your neck; (H)write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will (I)find favor and (J)good success[a] in the sight of God and man.
5 (K)Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and (L)do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways (M)acknowledge him, and he (N)will make straight your paths. 7 (O)Be not wise in your own eyes; (P)fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be (Q)healing to your flesh[b] and (R)refreshment[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with (S)the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your (T)barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 (U)My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as (V)a father the son in whom he delights.
9 How can (A)a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 (B)With my whole heart I seek you; let me not (C)wander from your commandments! 11 I have (D)stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; (E)teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I (F)declare all the rules[a] of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I (G)delight as much as in all (H)riches. 15 I will (I)meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your (J)ways. 16 I will (K)delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
