The Enticement of Sinners

My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];

The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation]; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].

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

He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing], But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin], But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.

If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth [with godly blessings], How much more [will] the wicked and the sinner [be repaid with punishment]!

Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.

Adversity pursues sinners, But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.

Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man], But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.

Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin], And leads him in a way that is not good.

Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?”

Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].

Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].

A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it], But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable]; He who is cursed by the Lord [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.

Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.

The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is repulsive to men.