1 My child, you must followand treasure my teachingsand my instructions.
2 Keep in tune with wisdomand think what it meansto have common sense.
3 Beg as loud as you canfor good common sense.
4 Search for wisdomas you would search for silveror hidden treasure.
5 Then you will understandwhat it means to respectand to know the Lord God.
6 All wisdom comes from the Lord,and so do common senseand understanding.
7 God gives helpful adviceto everyone who obeys himand protects thosewho live as they should.
8 God sees that justice is done,and he watches over everyonewho is faithful to him.
9 With wisdom you will learnwhat is rightand honest and fair.
10 Wisdom will control your mind,and you will be pleasedwith knowledge.
11 Sound judgment and good sensewill watch over you.
12 Wisdom will protect youfrom evil schemesand from those liars
13 who turned from doing goodto live in the darkness.
14 Most of all they enjoybeing mean and deceitful.
15 They are dishonest themselves,and so are all their deeds.
16 Wisdom will protect youfrom the smooth talkof a sinful woman,
17 who breaks her wedding vowsand leaves the man she marriedwhen she was young.
18 The road to her house leadsdownto the dark worldof the dead.
19 Visit her, and you will neverfind the road to life again.
20 Follow the exampleof good peopleand live an honest life.
21 If you are honest and innocent,you will keep your land;
22 if you do wrongand can never be trusted,you will be rooted out.