7  ^hThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

20  Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with ^wa forbidden woman

and embrace the bosom of ^wan adulteress?¹

21  For ^xa man’s ways are ^ybefore the eyes of the Lord,

and he ^zponders² all his paths.

22  The ^ainiquities of the wicked ^bensnare him,

and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

23  ^cHe dies for lack of discipline,

and because of his great folly he is ^dled astray.