Exhortation and Warning

8 Listen, my child, to your father’s instruction,

and do not forsake what you mother has taught you;

9 they will be a garland to your head,

and a chain for your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent. 11 If they say,

‘Come with us, let us lurk for the blameless,

and ambush the innocent for fun –

12 let us swallow them up like the grave, alive

and entire, just as those that go down to the pit.

13 Precious wealth of all sorts will be ours,

we will fill our houses with spoil.

14 Cast your lot with us;

we will all share what we steal,’

15 Do not go their way, my child.

Keep your foot away from their path.

16 For their feet hasten to evil,

and they rush to shed blood.

17 The net is spread in the sight of the birds,

who hungrily take the bait.

18 Their own is the blood they lurk for.

Their own are the lives they ambush.

19 So end all who would grasp at gain –

it destroys the life of its owner.