Don’t Join a Gang
8My son, heed the discipline of your father,
And do not forsake the instruction of your mother;
9For they are a graceful wreath upon your head,
A necklace about your throat.
10My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield;
11If they say, “Come with us,
Let us set an ambush to shed blood,
Let us lie in wait for the innocent
(Without cause!)
12Like Sheol, let us swallow them alive;
Whole, like those who go down into the Pit.
13We shall obtain every precious treasure;
We shall fill our homes with loot.
14Throw in your lot with us;
We shall all have a common purse.”
15My son, do not set out with them;
Keep your feet from their path.
16For their feet run to evil;
They hurry to shed blood.
17In the eyes of every winged creature
The outspread net means nothing.
18But they lie in ambush for their own blood;
They lie in wait for their own lives.
19Such is the fate of all who pursue unjust gain;
It takes the life of its possessor.
We’re sorry. The Posen Library’s licensing agreements prevent this text from being printed or downloaded.
Credits
Reprinted from Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures by permission of the University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 1.
You may also like
The Path to Wisdom
Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words
And treasure up my commandments;
If you make your ear attentive to wisdom
And your mind open to discernment;
If you call to understanding
And cry aloud to…
The Wisdom of Piety
Proverbs 3:1–12
My son, do not forget my teaching
But let your mind retain my commandments;
For they will bestow on you length of days,
Years of life and well-being.
Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you;…
Acquire Wisdom
Proverbs 4:1–9
Sons, heed the discipline of a father;
Listen and learn discernment,
For I give you good instruction;
Do not forsake my teaching.
Once I was a son to my father,
The tender darling of my mother.…
Avoid Another Man’s Wife and Find a Wife of Your Own
Proverbs 5 (selections)
My son, listen to my wisdom;
Incline your ear to my insight,
That you may have foresight,
While your lips hold fast to knowledge.
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey;
Her mouth is…
Adultery Kills
Proverbs 6:20–35 (selections)
My son, keep your father’s commandment;
Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Tie them over your heart always;
Bind them around your throat.
When you walk it will lead you;
When you lie down…
From The Proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 17
Better a dry crust with peace
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
A capable servant will dominate an incompetent son
And share the inheritance with the brothers.
For silver—the crucible;
Fo…
Engage with this Source
Related Guide
Writings: The Third Section of the Jewish Bible
10th–2nd Century BCE
You may also like
The Path to Wisdom
Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words
And treasure up my commandments;
If you make your ear attentive to wisdom
And your mind open to discernment;
If you call to understanding
And cry aloud to…
The Wisdom of Piety
Proverbs 3:1–12
My son, do not forget my teaching
But let your mind retain my commandments;
For they will bestow on you length of days,
Years of life and well-being.
Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you;…
Acquire Wisdom
Proverbs 4:1–9
Sons, heed the discipline of a father;
Listen and learn discernment,
For I give you good instruction;
Do not forsake my teaching.
Once I was a son to my father,
The tender darling of my mother.…
Avoid Another Man’s Wife and Find a Wife of Your Own
Proverbs 5 (selections)
My son, listen to my wisdom;
Incline your ear to my insight,
That you may have foresight,
While your lips hold fast to knowledge.
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey;
Her mouth is…
Adultery Kills
Proverbs 6:20–35 (selections)
My son, keep your father’s commandment;
Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Tie them over your heart always;
Bind them around your throat.
When you walk it will lead you;
When you lie down…
From The Proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 17
Better a dry crust with peace
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
A capable servant will dominate an incompetent son
And share the inheritance with the brothers.
For silver—the crucible;
Fo…