A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

8My child,* listen when your father corrects you.

Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

9What you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck.

10My child, if sinners entice you,

turn your back on them!

11They may say, “Come and join us.

Let’s hide and kill someone!

Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent!

12Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave*;

let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

13Think of the great things we’ll get!

We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

14Come, throw in your lot with us;

we’ll all share the loot.”

15My child, don’t go along with them!

Stay far away from their paths.

16They rush to commit evil deeds.

They hurry to commit murder.

17If a bird sees a trap being set,

it knows to stay away.

18But these people set an ambush for themselves;

they are trying to get themselves killed.

19Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;

it robs them of life.