The Enticement of Sin

The son is told to listen to his father's instruction and not forsake his mother's teaching, because such instruction adorns life like a graceful garland and chain. Wisdom is introduced first through faithful family formation.

L⁸isten, my son, to your father’s instruction, ⁹For they are a garland of grace on your head

The young man is warned not to consent when sinners entice him into ambush, bloodshed, and plunder, promising shared loot and solidarity. Sin is shown as recruiting through excitement, profit, and belonging.

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you, ¹¹If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, ¹²let us swallow them alive like Sheol, ¹³We will find all manner of precious goods; ¹⁴Throw in your lot with us;

The son is told not to walk with such men, because their feet hurry toward evil and their greed ultimately traps them. The violence they plan for others comes back upon themselves, and greed becomes its own undoing.

¹⁵my son, do not walk the road with them ¹⁶For their feet run to evil, ¹⁷How futile it is to spread the net ¹⁸But they lie in wait for their own blood; ¹⁹Such is the fate of all who are greedy,