18 Whoever ^(A)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.

³ It is an honor for a man to ^(A)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

2 ^(A)My son, ^(B)if you receive my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you,
² making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;
³ yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice ^(C)for understanding,
⁴ if you seek it like ^(D)silver
    and search for it as for ^(E)hidden treasures,
⁵ then ^(F)you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For ^(G)the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

^17 (A)I did not sit in the company of revelers,
    nor did I rejoice;
^(B)I sat alone, because your hand was upon me,
    for you had filled me with indignation.

⁸ In the path of your judgments,
    O Lord, we wait for you;
^(A)your name and ^(B)remembrance
    are the desire of our soul.
⁹ My soul yearns for you in the night;
    my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
^(C)For when your judgments are in the earth,
    the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.