and I saw among the naive – I discerned among the youths ¹  – a young man ²  who lacked wisdom. ³ 

The Lord created ¹  me as the beginning ²  of his works, ³  before his deeds of long ago.

When he established the heavens, I was there; when he marked out the horizon ¹  over the face of the deep,

For the one who finds me finds ¹  life and receives ²  favor from the Lord.

She has sent out her female servants; she calls out on the highest places ¹  of the city.

“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” she says ¹  to those ²  who lack understanding. ³ 

The one who works ¹  his field will have plenty ²  of food, but whoever chases daydreams ³  lacks wisdom. ⁴ 

Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, ¹  but one who has understanding ²  follows an upright course. ³ 

The one who refuses correction despises himself, ¹  but whoever hears ²  reproof acquires understanding. ³ 

The divine verdict ¹  is in the words ²  of the king, his pronouncements ³  must not act treacherously ⁴  against justice.

The one who lacks wisdom ¹  strikes hands in pledge, ²  and puts up financial security ³  for his neighbor. ⁴ 

The glory ¹  of young men is their strength, and the splendor ²  of old men is gray hair. ³ 

Incline your ear ²  and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction. ³ 

Give me your heart, my son, ¹  and let your eyes observe my ways;

The one who keeps the law ¹  is a discerning child, ²  but a companion of gluttons brings shame ³  to his parents. ⁴ 

So I began to despair ¹  about all the fruit of ²  my labor ³  for which I worked so hard ⁴  on earth. ⁵ 

He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions, and strength to those who defend the city from attackers. ¹ 

Ephraim has been like a dove, easily deceived and lacking discernment. They called to Egypt for help; they turned to Assyria for protection.

The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, ¹  but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, ¹  sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. ²