Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

² to know wisdom and instruction;
    to discern the words of understanding;
³ to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in righteousness, justice, and equity;
⁴ to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the young man—
⁵ that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
    that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
⁶ to understand a proverb and parables,
    the words and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of Yahweh^[a] is the beginning of knowledge,
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
⁸ My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;
⁹ for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.
¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you,
    don’t consent.
¹¹ If they say, “Come with us.
    Let’s lie in wait for blood.
    Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.
¹² Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol,^[b]
    and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
¹³ We’ll find all valuable wealth.
    We’ll fill our houses with plunder.
¹⁴ You shall cast your lot among us.
    We’ll all have one purse”—
¹⁵ my son, don’t walk on the path with them.
    Keep your foot from their path,
¹⁶ for their feet run to evil.
    They hurry to shed blood.
¹⁷ For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
¹⁸ but these lay in wait for their own blood.
    They lurk secretly for their own lives.
¹⁹ So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
    It takes away the life of its owners.