Proverbs 2:1-15

New International Reader's Version

Good Things Come From Wisdom

2 My son, accept my words.
    Store up my commands inside you.
²Let your ears listen to wisdom.
    Apply your heart to understanding.
³Call out for the ability to be wise.
    Cry out for understanding.
⁴Look for it as you would look for silver.
    Search for it as you would search for hidden treasure.
⁵Then you will understand how to have respect for the Lord.
    You will find out how to know God.
⁶The Lord gives wisdom.
    Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.
⁷He stores up success for honest people.
    He is like a shield to those who live without blame.
⁸He guards the path of those who are honest.
    He watches over the way of his faithful ones.

⁹You will understand what is right and honest and fair.
    You will understand the right way to live.
¹⁰Your heart will become wise.
    Your mind will delight in knowledge.
¹¹Good sense will keep you safe.
    Understanding will guard you.

¹²Wisdom will save you from the ways of evil men.
    It will save you from men who twist their words.
¹³Men like that have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways.
¹⁴They take delight in doing what is wrong.
    They take joy in twisting everything around.
¹⁵Their paths are crooked.
    Their ways are not straight.