1 My son, if you take my words [to heart] and treasure my commands within you,

2 if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding,

3 if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,

4 if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God.

6 The LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He has reserved priceless wisdom for decent people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity

8 in order to guard those on paths of justice and to watch over the way of his godly ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good course [in life].

10 Wisdom will come into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Foresight will protect you. Understanding will guard you.

12 [Wisdom will] save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things,

13 from those who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk the ways of darkness,

14 from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who find joy in the deviousness of evil.

15 Their paths are crooked. Their ways are devious.

16 [Wisdom will] also save you from an adulterous woman, from a loose woman with her smooth talk,

17 who leaves [her husband,]the closest friend of her youth,[and forgets her marriage vows to her God.]

18 Her house sinks down to death. Her ways lead to the souls of the dead.

19 None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life.

20 So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people.

21 Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it.

22 But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it.