2. That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
3. Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity,
4. That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth–
5. The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]–[Prov. 9:9.]
6. That people may understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation, and the words of the wise and their dark sayings or riddles.
7. The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps. 111:10.]
8. My son, hear the instruction of your father; reject not nor forsake the teaching of your mother.
9. For they are a [victor's] chaplet (garland) of grace upon your head and chains and pendants [of gold worn by kings] for your neck.
10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. [Ps. 1:1; Eph. 5:11.]
11. If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain];
12. Let us swallow them up alive as does Sheol (the place of the dead), and whole, as those who go down into the pit [of the dead];
13. We shall find and take all kinds of precious goods [when our victims are put out of the way], we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14. Throw in your lot with us [they insist] and be a sworn brother and comrade; let us all have one purse in common–
15. My son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path;