¹⁶ I paid a little attention, and I received her
    and found much instruction for myself.
¹⁷ I made progress with her;
    I will give glory to the one
    who gives me Wisdom.

¹⁸ I made up my mind
to put Wisdom into practice;
    I sought the good,
    and I will never be ashamed.
¹⁹ My whole being grappled with her,
    and I was brought to perfection
    in my performance of the Law.
    I spread out my hands
    toward heaven,
    and I kept in mind^[b]
    my ignorance of her.
²⁰ I directed my whole being toward her,
    and in purity I found her.

    I had a heart for her^[c]
    from the beginning.
    For this reason
    I will never be abandoned.
²¹ My guts were stirred to seek her;
    for this reason I gained
    a desired possession.
²² The Lord gave me the power
to speak well, as my reward,
    and I will praise him with it.

⁷ The Lord’s Instruction is perfect,
    reviving one’s very being.^[a]
The Lord’s laws are faithful,
    making naive people wise.
⁸ The Lord’s regulations are right,
    gladdening the heart.
The Lord’s commands are pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
⁹ Honoring the Lord is correct,
    lasting forever.
The Lord’s judgments are true.
    All of these are righteous!
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold—
        than tons of pure gold!
    They are sweeter than honey—
        even dripping off the honeycomb!
¹¹ No doubt about it:
    your servant is enlightened by them;
    there is great reward in keeping them.
¹² But can anyone know
    what they’ve accidentally done wrong?
    Clear me of any unknown sin
¹³         and save your servant from willful sins.
        Don’t let them rule me.
Then I’ll be completely blameless;
    I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth
    and the meditations of my heart
    be pleasing to you,
    Lord, my rock and my redeemer.