[1] My son, if you accept what I am telling you and store my counsel and directives deep within you, [2] If you listen for Lady Wisdom, attune your ears to her, and engage your mind to understand what she is telling you, [3] If you cry out to her for insight and beg for understanding, [4] If you sift through the clamor of everything around you to seek her like some precious prize, to search for her like buried treasure; [5] Then you will grasp what it means to truly respect the Eternal, and you will have discovered the knowledge of the one True God. [6] The Eternal is ready to share His wisdom with us, for His words bring true knowledge and insight; [7] He has stored up the essentials of sound wisdom for those who do right; He acts as a shield for those who value integrity. [8] God protects the paths of those who pursue justice, watching over the lives of those who keep faith with Him. [9] With this wisdom you will be able to choose the right road, seek justice, and decide what is good and fair [10] Because wisdom will penetrate deep within and knowledge will become a good friend to your soul. [11] Sound judgment will stand guard over you, and understanding will watch over you as the Lord promised. [12] Wisdom will keep you from following the way of evildoers, of those who twist words to pervert the truth, [13] Of those who reject the right road for a darker, more sinister way of life, [14] Of those who enjoy evil and pursue perverse pleasures, [15] Of those who journey down a crooked path, constantly figuring out new ways to trick and deceive others. [16] Wisdom will pluck you from the trap of a seductive woman, from the enticing propositions of the adulteress [17] Who chose to leave the husband of her youth, to forget her sacred promises to her God; [18] For her house is on the road that leads to death, and her path goes down to the shadowy pit. [19] Those who go to her will never return; they will never again find their way back to true life. [20] As for you, you should walk like those who are good and keep to the paths of those who love justice, [21] For those who live right will remain in the land and those with integrity will endure here. [22] But not the wicked; they will be forced out and banned from this promised land, and those who deal in deceit will be plucked up like weeds.
