Folly Calls for Hearing

The woman named Folly is brash.
 She is ignorant and doesn't know it.
She sits in her doorway
 on the heights overlooking the city.
She calls out to men going by
 who are minding their own business.
"Come in with me," she urges the simple.
 To those who lack good judgement, she says,
"Stolen water is refreshing;
 food eaten in secret taste the best!"
But little do they know that the dead are there.
 Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing

8 Listen as Wisdom calls out!
 Hear as understanding raises her voice!
On the hilltop along the road,
 she takes her stand at the crossroads.
By the gates at the entrance to the town,
 on the road leading in, she cries aloud.
"I call you, to all of you!
  I raise my voice to all people
You simple people, use good judgement.
 You foolish people, show some understanding,
 clear to those with knowledge.
Choose my instruction rather than silver,
 and knowledge rather than pure gold.
For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
 Nothing you desire can compare with it.

Another Warning About Immoral Woman

Follow my advice, my son;
 always treasure my commands.
Obey my commands and live!
 Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
 Write them deep within your heart.

Love wisdom like a sister;
 make insight a beloved member of your family.
Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
 from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

Lessons for Daily Life

My child, if you have put up security for a friend's debt
 or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger-
if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
 and are caught by what you said--
follow my advice and save yourself,
 for you have placed yourself at your friend's mercy.
Now shallow your pride;
 go and beg to have your named erased.
Don't put it off; do it now!
 Don't rest until you do.
Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,
 like a bird fleeing from a net.
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
 Learn from their ways and become wise!
Though they have no prince
 or governor or ruler to make them work,
they labor hard all summer,
 gathering food for the winter.
But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
 When will you wake up?
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
 a little folding of the hands to rest--
then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
 scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Avoid Immoral Woman

My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
 listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Then you will show discernment,
 and your lips will express what you've learned.
For the lips of an immoral women are as sweet as honey,
 and her mouth is smoother than oil.
But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
 as dangerous as double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
 her steps lead straight to the grave.
For she cares nothing about the path to life.
 She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn't realize it.

A Fathers's Wise Advice

My children, listen when your father corrects you.
 Pay attention and learn good judgement,
for I am giving you good guidance.
 Don't turn away from my instructions.
For I, too, was once my father's son,
 tenderly loved as my mother's only child.

My father taught me,
 "Take my words to heart.
   Follow my commands and you will live.
Get wisdom; develop good judgement.
 Don't forget my words or turn away from them.
Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
 Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
 And whatever else you do, develop good judgement.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
 Embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
 she will present you with a beautiful crown."

Trusting in the Lord

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
 Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
 and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
 Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
 Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people
 and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
 do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
 and he will show you which path to take.

The Benefits of wisdom

My child listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
 and concentrate to understanding.
Cry out for insight,
 and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver,
 and seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you understand what it means to fear the lord,
 and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
 Fro his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
 He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the path of the just
 and protect those who are faithful to him.

Wisdom Shouts in the Streets

Wisdom shouts in the streets.
 She cries out in the public square.
She call to the crowds along the main street,
 to those gathered in front of the city gate:
"How long you simpletons,
 will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
 How long will you fools hate knowledge?
Come and listen to my counsel.
I'll share my heart with you
 and make you wise.

"I called you so often, but you wouldn't come.

A Father's Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child, listen when your father corrects you.
  Don't neglect your mother's instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
  and be a chain of honor around your neck.

My child, if sinners entice you,
  turn your back on them!
They may say, "Come and join  us
  Let's hide and kill someone!
Just for fun, let's ambush the innocent!
  Let's swallow them alive, like the grave,
Let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

The Purpose of Proverbs

These are the Proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
  to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives.
  to help them do what is right, just and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
  knowledge and discerning to the young.
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wise.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
  by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,