1 My son, accept my words. Store up my commands inside you.
2 Let your ears listen to wisdom. Apply your heart to understanding.
3 Call out for the ability to be wise. Cry out for understanding.
4 Look for it as you would look for silver. Search for it as you would search for hidden treasure.
5 Then you will understand how to have respect for the Lord. You will find out how to know God.
6 The Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.
7 He stores up success for honest people. He is like a shield to those who live without blame. He keeps them safe.
8 He guards the path of those who are honest. He watches over the way of his faithful ones.
9 You will understand what is right and honest and fair. You will understand the right way to live.
10 Your heart will become wise. Your mind will delight in knowledge.
11 Good sense will keep you safe. Understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of evil men. It will save you from men who twist their words.
13 Men like that leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways.
14 They take delight in doing what is wrong. They take joy in twisting everything around.
15 Their paths are crooked. Their ways are not straight.
16 Wisdom will save you from a woman who commits adultery. It will save you from a sinful wife and her tempting words.
17 She leaves the man she married when she was young. She breaks the promise she made to her God.
18 Her house leads down to death. Her paths lead to the spirits of the dead.
19 No one who goes to her comes back or reaches the paths of life.
20 You will walk in the ways of good people. You will follow the paths of those who do right.
21 Honest people will live in the land. Those who are without blame will remain in it.