Study Desk

My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor, If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],

She prepares her food in the summer And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.

Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him; Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].

For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,

For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up], And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband; He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.

For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice.

"For my husband is not at home. He has gone on a long journey;

For she has cast down many [mortally] wounded; Indeed, all who were killed by her were strong.

"Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

"For my mouth will utter truth, And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.

For wisdom is better than rubies; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

When He set for the sea its boundary So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth—

"Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.

"For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life And obtains favor and grace from the LORD.

"Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says,

He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.

Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you; Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.

For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied, And years of life shall be increased.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit]; If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.