Proverbs 1:7-19

7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;

9For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

10My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

11If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;

13We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil;

14Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”—

15My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;

16For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.

17Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird;

18But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.

19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.