Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(A) to your father’s(B) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(C)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(D)

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Avoid evil associations

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction;
    don’t neglect your mother’s teaching;
        for they are a graceful wreath on your head,
        and beads for your neck.

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Warning Against Adultery

20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.(C)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
    this teaching is a light,(D)
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life,(E)

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Danger of adultery

20 My son, keep your father’s command;
    don’t abandon your mother’s instruction.
21 Bind them on your heart for all time;
    fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk around, they will lead you;
    when you lie down, they will protect you;
    when you awake, they will occupy your attention.
23 The commandment is a lamp and instruction a light;
    corrective teaching is the path of life.

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Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

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Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child makes a father glad,
    but a foolish child brings sorrow to his mother.

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29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(A)

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29 Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind.
    The fool will be servant to the wise.

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13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

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13 A wise son listens to[a] the discipline of his father,
    but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:1 Heb lacks listens to.

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(A)

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A fool doesn’t like a father’s instruction,
    but those who heed correction are mature.

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20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

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20 A wise child brings joy to a father,
    but fools despise their mothers.

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Children’s children(A) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

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Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
    and the glory of children is their parents.

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17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(A)

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17 Friends love all the time,
    and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble.

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21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(A)

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21 Having a fool for a son brings grief;
    there’s no joy for a scoundrel’s father.

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25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(A)

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25 A foolish son is irritating to his father
    and bitter to her who gave birth to him.

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19 A brother wronged(A) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

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19 An offended ally is more formidable than a city;
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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