[1] My son, if you take my words to heart and treasure my commands within you, [2] if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, [3] if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, [4] if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God. [6] The LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7] He has reserved priceless wisdom for decent people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity [8] in order to guard those on paths of justice and to watch over the way of his godly ones. [9] Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good course in life. [10] Wisdom will come into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. [11] Foresight will protect you. Understanding will guard you. [12] Wisdom will save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things, [13] from those who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk the ways of darkness, [14] from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who find joy in the deviousness of evil. [15] Their paths are crooked. Their ways are devious. [16] Wisdom will also save you from an adulterous woman, from a loose woman with her smooth talk, [17] who leaves her husband, the closest friend of her youth, and forgets her marriage vows to her God. [18] Her house sinks down to death. Her ways lead to the souls of the dead. [19] None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life. [20] So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people. [21] Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it. [22] But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it.
