9. For they are a garland of grace for your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in.
11. Suppose they say: “Come with us! Let’s lie in wait for blood! Let’s ambush the innocent— for no reason!
12. Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol— still healthy, as they go down to the Pit!
13. We’ll find all sorts of valuable things, we’ll fill our homes with loot!
14. Throw your lot in with us— we’ll all have one wallet.”
15. My son, do not go along with them, keep your foot from their path—
16. for their feet run to evil and they are swift to shed blood.
17. Surely it is useless to spread a net in the eyes of all winged creatures!
18. But they lie in wait for their own blood. They ambush their own lives.
19. Such is the fate of all gaining by violence. It takes the life of its possessor.
20. Wisdom calls aloud in the streets, she raises her voice in public squares.
21. She cries out above the commotion. At the entrances of the city gates, she utters her speech:
22. “How long will you naïve ones love simplicity, you scoffers delight in scoffing, and you fools hate knowledge?
23. You are repulsed at my rebuke. Behold, I pour out my heart to you. I will make my words known to you.
24. Because you refused when I called, and did not pay attention when I stretched out my hand,
25. since you ignore all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26. I in turn will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when dread comes on you,
27. when your terror comes like a storm and your calamity sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when trouble and distress overwhelm you!
28. Then they will cry out to me, but I will not answer! They will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.