1My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you;
2if you turn your ear to wisdom, and set your heart on understanding;
3yes, if you call out for knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding;
4if you look for her as for silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure;
5then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6For the LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He stores up sound wisdom for the righteous. He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
8He guards the paths of justice, and keeps safe the way of those who love him.
9Then you will understand righteousness, and justice, and fairness; yes, every good path.
10Wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11Good sense will protect you, and understanding will keep you.
12They will save you from the way of the evil man, from the man who speaks twisted things,
13from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,
14who are glad when they do evil, and delight in the twisted ways of the wicked,
15whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths.
16They will save you from the strange woman, from the stranger who flatters with her words,
17who leaves the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God.
18For her house sinks down to death, and her paths lead to the dead.
19None who go to her come back again, and they never reach the paths of life.
20So you will walk in the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21For the upright will live in the land, and those who are blameless will remain in it.
22But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and those who break the law will be torn out of it.