1 My child, believe what I say.And remember what I command you.
2 Listen to wisdom.Try with all your heart to gain understanding.
3 Cry out for wisdom.Beg for understanding.
4 Search for it as you would for silver.Hunt for it like hidden treasure.
5 Then you will understand what it means to respect the Lord.Then you will begin to know God.
6 Only the Lord gives wisdom.Knowledge and understanding come from him.
7 He stores up wisdom for those who are honest.Like a shield he protects those who are innocent.
8 He guards those who are fair to others.He protects those who are loyal to him.
9 Then you will understand what is honest and fair and right.You will understand what is good to do.
10 You will have wisdom in your heart.And knowledge will be pleasing to you.
11 Good sense will protect you.Understanding will guard you.
12 It will keep you from doing evil.It will save you from people whose words are bad.
13 Such people do not do what is right.They do what is evil.
14 They enjoy doing wrong.They are happy to do what is crooked and evil.
15 What they do is wrong.Their ways are dishonest.
16 It will save you from the unfaithful wifewho tries to lead you into adultery with pleasing words.
17 Such women leave the husbands they married when they were young.They forget the promise they made before God.
18 If you go to her house, you are on your way to death.What she does leads to death.
19 No one who goes to her comes back.He will not continue to live.
20 But wisdom will help you be a good person.It will help you do what is right.
21 Those who are honest will stay in the land.Those who are innocent will remain in it.
22 But evil people will be removed from the land.The unfaithful will be thrown out of it.