² “Can a man be of benefit to God?^(A)
    Can even a wise person benefit him?^(B)

⁶ If you sin, how does that affect him?
    If your sins are many, what does that do to him?^(A)
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him,^(B)
    or what does he receive^(C) from your hand?^(D)
8 Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself,^(E)
    and your righteousness only other people.^(F)

² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;^(A)
    apart from you I have no good thing.”^(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)

¹⁵ Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
    What would we gain by praying to him?’^(A)

¹¹ Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing^(A)
    and benefits those who see the sun.^(B)
12 Wisdom is a shelter
    as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
    Wisdom preserves those who have it.