[1] My child, listen to what I say and remember what I command you. [2] Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding. [3] Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. [4] Search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treasure. [5] Then you will understand respect for the LORD, and you will find that you know God. [6] Only the LORD gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding. [7] He stores up wisdom for those who are honest. Like a shield he protects the innocent. [8] He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him. [9] Then you will understand what is honest and fair and what is the good and right thing to do. [10] Wisdom will come into your mind, and knowledge will be pleasing to you. [11] Good sense will protect you; understanding will guard you. [12] It will keep you from the wicked, from those whose words are bad, [13] who don't do what is right but what is evil. [14] They enjoy doing wrong and are happy to do what is crooked and evil. [15] What they do is wrong, and their ways are dishonest. [16] It will save you from the unfaithful wife who tries to lead you into adultery with pleasing words. [17] She leaves the husband she married when she was young. She ignores the promise she made before God. [18] Her house is on the way to death; those who took that path are now all dead. [19] No one who goes to her comes back or walks the path of life again. [20] But wisdom will help you be good and do what is right. [21] Those who are honest will live in the land, and those who are innocent will remain in it. [22] But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the unfaithful will be thrown out of it.
