[1] My son, accept my words and store up my commands. [2] Turn your ear toward wisdom, and stretch your mind toward understanding. [3] Call out for insight, and cry aloud for understanding. [4] Seek it like silver; search for it like hidden treasure. [5] Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God. [6] The LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7] He reserves ability for those with integrity. He is a shield for those who live a blameless life. [8] He protects the paths of justice and guards the way of those who are loyal to him. [9] Then you will understand righteousness and justice, as well as integrity, every good course. [10] Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight. [11] Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you. [12] Wisdom will rescue you from the evil path, from people who twist their words. [13] They forsake the way of integrity and go on obscure paths. [14] They enjoy doing evil, rejoicing in their twisted evil. [15] Their paths are confused; they get lost on their way. [16] Wisdom will rescue you from the mysterious woman, from the foreign woman with her slick words. [17] She leaves behind the partner of her youth; she even forgets her covenant with God. [18] Her house sinks down to death, and her paths go down to the shadowy dead. [19] All those who go to her will never return; they will never again reach the ways of the living. [20] So you should stay on the path of good people, guarding the road of the righteous. [21] Those who have integrity will dwell in the land; the innocent will remain in it. [22] But the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped up.
