⁵ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

³¹ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

³² He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

¹⁸ Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

¹ A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

¹ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

¹⁵ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

¹³ This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

¹² As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

²⁰ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

²³ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

²³ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

⁵ Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

²⁰ And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

⁹ And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

¹¹ Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

¹² Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

¹³ Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

¹ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

² And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

³ And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

⁴ Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

⁵ And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

⁶ And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

²³ And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

²⁴ Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress.

²⁵ If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.