He is [on] the pathof lifewho heedsinstruction,But he who ignoresreproofgoesastray.
As he was talkingwith him, the king saidto him, "Have we appointedyou a royalcounselor?Stop!Whyshould you be struckdown?"Then the prophetstoppedand said,"I knowthat Godhas plannedto destroyyou, becauseyou have donethisand have not listenedto my counsel."
"They wouldnot acceptmy counsel,They spurnedallmy reproof.
Whoever lovesdisciplinelovesknowledge,But he who hatesreproofis stupid.
Grievouspunishmentis for him who forsakesthe way;He who hatesreproofwill die.
He who neglectsdisciplinedespiseshimself,But he who listensto reproofacquiresunderstanding.
A manwho hardens[his] neckafter much reproofWill suddenlybe brokenbeyondremedy.
She is a treeof lifeto those who takeholdof her, And happyare all who holdher fast.
Takeholdof instruction;do not letgo.Guardher, for she is your life.
Then he taughtme and saidto me, "Let your heartholdfastmy words;Keepmy commandmentsand live;
And you say,"HowI have hatedinstruction!And my heartspurnedreproof!
"I was almostin utterruinIn the midstof the assemblyand congregation."
For the commandmentis a lampand the teachingis light;And reproofsfor disciplineare the wayof life
Do not letyour speechcause you to sinand do not sayin the presenceof the messenger[of God] that it was a mistake.Whyshould Godbe angryon accountof your voiceand destroythe workof your hands?
But He said,"On the contrary,blessedare thosewho hearthe wordof Godand observeit."
Seeto it that you do not refuseHim who is speaking.For ifthosedid not escapewhen they refusedhim who warned[them] on earth,muchless[will] we [escape] who turn awayfrom Him who [warns] from heaven.
For thisreasonwe mustpaymuch closerattentionto what we have heard,sothat we do not drift away[from it].
And he liftedup his eyesand sawthe travelerin the opensquareof the city;and the oldmansaid,"Whereare you going,and wheredo you comefrom?"
