²⁸ And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil^(A) is understanding.”^(B)

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.^(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;^(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.^(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;^(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.^(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.^(F)
18 She is a tree of life^(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.^(H)

¹⁹ By wisdom^(I) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,^(J)
    by understanding he set the heavens^(K) in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²⁴ Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
    who can discover it?^(A)