³ It is honorable to refrain from strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.^(A)

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

¹⁷ I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,
    nor did I rejoice;
under the weight of your hand I sat alone,
    for you had filled me with indignation.^(A)

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