^7-8 He grants good sense to the godly—his saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. ⁹ He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. ¹⁰ For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being, filling your life with joy. ^11-13 You will be given the sense to stay away from evil men who want you to be their partners in crime—men who turn from God’s ways to walk down dark and evil paths ¹⁴ and exult in doing wrong, for they thoroughly enjoy their sins. ¹⁵ Everything they do is crooked and wrong.

^16-17 Only wisdom from the Lord can save a man from the flattery of prostitutes; these girls have abandoned their husbands and flouted the laws of God. ¹⁸ Their houses lie along the road to death and hell. ¹⁹ The men who enter them are doomed. None of these men will ever be the same again.^[a]

²⁰ Follow the steps of the godly instead, and stay on the right path, ²¹ for only good men enjoy life to the full;^{[b] 22} evil men lose the good things they might have had,^[c] and they themselves shall be destroyed.

²⁰ Young man, obey your father and your mother. ²¹ Take to heart all of their advice; keep in mind everything they tell you. ²² Every day and all night long their counsel will lead you and save you from harm; when you wake up in the morning, let their instructions guide you into the new day. ²³ For their advice is a beam of light directed into the dark corners of your mind to warn you of danger and to give you a good life. ²⁴ Their counsel will keep you far away from prostitutes, with all their flatteries, and unfaithful wives of other men.

7 Follow my advice, my son; always keep it in mind and stick to it. ² Obey me and live! Guard my words as your most precious possession. ³ Write them down,^[a] and also keep them deep within your heart. ⁴ Love wisdom like a sweetheart; make her a beloved member of your family. ⁵ Let her hold you back from affairs with other women—from listening to their flattery.

¹⁹ Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!

³ A rebel’s foolish talk should prick his own pride! But the wise man’s speech is respected.

¹⁰ The Lord^[a] is a strong fortress. The godly run to him and are safe.

²³ Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble.

⁵ The rebel walks a thorny, treacherous road; the man who values his soul will stay away.

^24-25 Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul.