3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Nobody carries stones and sand further than they have to, but many of us have carried past provocations around for years. Emotional burdens weigh us …
6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house… One must not look far …
8 Keep to a path far from [the adulterous woman], do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, It is dangerous to overestimate your self-control. How close can you get to temptation without it getting you? Probably …
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. The story of the senseless youth continues. He has been heading towards her house, what does he expect to find there? Not …
[10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. 11 If they say…] 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14 cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”— The enticement of sinful men follows the same pattern as …
11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. It is through wisdom that self-destructive habits are overcome, temptation is avoided, and virtue conquers vice. How often do you factor your future self into your present decisions? The fool, living only in the moment, has no …
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. The wise father not only teaches his son which paths are worth pursuing, he also warns him of those which ought to be avoided. How …