A reading from the book of Proverbs

The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity,

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles,

the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Hear, my son, your father's instruction,

and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head,

and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say,

come with us, let us lie and wait for blood. Let us ambush the innocent without reason. Like

Shio, let us swallow them alive and whole like those who go down to the pit. We shall find

all precious goods. We shall fill our houses with plunder. Throw in your lot among us. We will all have

one purse. My son, do not walk in the way with them. Hold back your foot from their

paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood, for in vain is a net spread

in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood. They set an ambush for

their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. It takes away the

life of its possessors. Wisdom cries aloud in the street. In the market, she raises her voice.

At the head of the noisy streets, she cries out. At the entrance of the city gate, she speaks.

How long, oh, simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

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