Proverbs 1:8-19

8Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

9For they are a garland of grace for your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

10My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in.

11Suppose they say: “Come with us! Let’s lie in wait for blood! Let’s ambush the innocent— for no reason!

12Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol— still healthy, as they go down to the Pit!

13We’ll find all sorts of valuable things, we’ll fill our homes with loot!

14Throw your lot in with us— we’ll all have one wallet.”

15My son, do not go along with them, keep your foot from their path—

16for their feet run to evil and they are swift to shed blood.

17Surely it is useless to spread a net in the eyes of all winged creatures!

18But they lie in wait for their own blood. They ambush their own lives.

19Such is the fate of all gaining by violence. It takes the life of its possessor.