[1] My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. [2] Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. [3] Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. [4] Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. [5] Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. [6] For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7] He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. [8] He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. [9] Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. [10] For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. [11] Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. [12] Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. [13] These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. [14] They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. [15] Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong. [16] Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. [17] She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. [18] Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave. [19] The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life. [20] So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous. [21] For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. [22] But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.
