⁴ to teach shrewdness to the simple,
    knowledge and prudence to the young—^(A)

²¹ My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
    keep sound wisdom and prudence,
²² and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck.^(A)
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.^(B)
24 If you sit down,^[a] you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Then you will not be afraid of sudden panic
    or of the storm that strikes the wicked,^(C)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
    and will keep your foot from being caught.

4 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain^[a] insight,^(A)
2 for I give you good precepts:
    do not forsake my teaching.
³ When I was a son with my father,
    tender and my mother’s favorite,^(B)
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments and live.^(C)
5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget nor turn away
    from the words of my mouth.^(D)
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.^(E)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom,
    and whatever else you get, get insight.^(F)

5 My child, be attentive to my wisdom;
    incline your ear to my understanding,^(A)
2 so that you may hold on to prudence,
    and your lips may guard knowledge.

9 Wisdom has built her house;
    she has hewn her seven pillars.^(A)
2 She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;
    she has also set her table.^(B)
3 She has sent out her female servants; she calls
    from the highest places in the town,^(C)
4 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
    To those without sense she says,^(D)
5 “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.^(E)
6 Lay aside immaturity and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”^(F)

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.^(A)

⁸ It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.^(A)

¹⁵ The simple believe everything,
    but the clever consider their steps.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.^(A)