4 to give prudence to cthe simple,
knowledge and ddiscretion to the youth—
21 My son, hdo not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be ilife for your soul
and jadornment for your neck.
23 kThen you will walk on your way securely,
land your foot will not stumble.
24 mIf you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, nyour sleep will be sweet.
25 oDo not be afraid of sudden terror
or of pthe ruin1 of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will qkeep your foot from being caught.
A Father’s Wise Instruction
4 fHear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may ggain1 insight,
2 for I give you good hprecepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
itender, jthe only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he ktaught me and said to me,
l“Let your heart hold fast my words;
mkeep my commandments, and live.
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
olove her, and she will guard you.
7 pThe beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get ginsight.
Warning Against Adultery
5 wMy son, be attentive to my wisdom;
xincline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep ydiscretion,
and your lips may zguard knowledge.
The Way of Wisdom
9 vWisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her wseven xpillars.
2 She has yslaughtered her beasts; she has zmixed her wine;
she has also aset her table.
3 She has bsent out her young women to ccall
from dthe highest places in the town,
4 e“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
fTo him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, geat of my bread
and hdrink of zthe wine I have mixed.
6 Leave iyour simple ways,1 and jlive,
kand walk in the way of insight.”
10 pThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and qthe knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
15 zThe simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
5 The plans of ethe diligent lead surely to abundance,
3 sThe prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
23 eBuy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
12 nThe prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but othe simple go on and suffer for it.