.1:8-19.

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Heed instruction; avoid bad company (Prov 1:8-19)

Having introduced his subject, the writer now gives the first of a series of lessons on the value of wisdom.

Throughout these lessons he speaks as a father to a son, drawing from his own experience to give advice and warning (Prov 1:8-9).

The first warning concerns bad companions, especially those who lead others astray with the tempting offer of instant wealth through robbery and violence (Prov 1:10-14).

The writer hopes that the inexperienced youth, being forewarned, will not be caught by such temptations, just as a bird will not fall into a trap that its sees being set for it (Prov 1:15-17).

Those who look for wealth through violence will, in the end, find that their evil plans bring about their own destruction (Prov 1:18-19).