1 Whoever fears the Lordwill do these things,and whoever has a firm holdon the Law will possess Wisdom.
2 She will come to meet them like a mother,and she will await themlike a young bride.
3 She will feed them breadof understanding,and will give them water of wisdomto drink.
4 They will be supported by herand not be undermined;they will be intent upon herand will never be put to shame.
5 She will raise them above their neighbors,and allow them to speakin the midst of the assembly.
6 They will inherit gladness,a crown of rejoicing,and an eternal name.
7 People who lack sense will neverreceive her,and sinners will never see her.
8 She keeps far away from the arrogant,and liars will never remember her.
9 Praise isn’t proper in the mouth of sinnersbecause it hasn’t been assignedby the Lord.
10 Praise must be spoken in wisdom,and the Lord will cause it to prosper.
11 Don’t say, "I fell away because of the Lord."What the Lord hates, he won’t do.
12 Don’t say, "The Lord made me go astray."He has no use for sinful people.
13 The Lord has hated every foul thing,and those who fear himhave no love for such things.
14 He created humanity at the beginning,and he left them to the powerof their choices.
15 If you choose to,you will keep the commandments,and keep faith out of goodwill.
16 He has put fire and water before you;you can stretch out your handfor whichever you choose.
17 Life and death are in frontof human beings;and they will be grantedwhichever they please,
18 because the wisdomof the Lord is great;he’s mighty in authority,he sees everything,
19 his eyes are upon those who fear him,and he knows every human action.
20 He doesn’t command anyoneto be ungodly,and he doesn’t give anyonea license to sin.