The Enticement of Sinners

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, And do not ignore your mother’s teaching;

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

For her house sinks down to death, And her tracks lead to the dead;

His own wrongdoings will trap the wicked, And he will be held by the ropes of his sin.

Then do this, my son, and save yourself: Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and be urgent with your neighbor to free yourself.

But one who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.”

If the righteous will be repaid on the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!

Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness brings the sinner to ruin.

Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.

A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, And the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is goodwill.

One who despises his neighbor sins, But one who is gracious to the poor is blessed.

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

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

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always.

The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to humanity.

Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.

By wrongdoing an evil person is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.