1: These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, Israel's king--
2: Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it's going;
3: A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair;
4: To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality.
5: There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
6: still a thing or two for the experienced to learn--Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.
7: Start with GOD-the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
8: Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.
9: Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers.
10: Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them.
11: If they say--"Let's go out and raise some hell. Let's beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
12: Let's pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals.
13: We'll load up on top-quality loot. We'll haul it home by the truckload.
14: Join us for the time of your life! With us, it's share and share alike!"-
15: Oh, friend, don't give them a second look; don't listen to them for a minute.
16: They're racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
17: Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching,
18: Yet that's what these people are doing--they're doing themselves in.
19: When you grab all you can get, that's what happens: the more you get, the less you are.
20: Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts. At the town center she makes her speech.
21: In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand. At the busiest corner she calls out:
22: "Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?
23: About face! I can revise your life. Look, I'm ready to pour out my spirit on you; I'm ready to tell you all I know.
24: As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear; I've reached out to you, but you've ignored me.
25: "Since you laugh at my counsel and make a joke of my advice,
26: How can I take you seriously? I'll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
27: What if the roof falls in, and your whole life goes to pieces? What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
28: You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, you won't find me.
29: "Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-GOD,
30: Because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
31: Well, you've made your bed--now lie in it; you wanted your own way--now, how do you like it?
32: Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
33: First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands."