² To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
³ to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in ^(B)righteousness, justice, and equity;
⁴ to give prudence to ^(C)the simple,
    knowledge and ^(D)discretion to the youth—
⁵ Let the wise hear and ^(E)increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
⁶ to understand a proverb and a saying,
    ^(F)the words of the wise and their ^(G)riddles.

^7 (H)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

³ Let not ^(E)steadfast love and ^(F)faithfulness forsake you;
    ^(G)bind them around your neck;
    ^(H)write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will ^(I)find favor and ^(J)good success^[a]
    in the sight of God and man.

^5 (K)Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and ^(L)do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways ^(M)acknowledge him,
    and he ^(N)will make straight your paths.
^7 (O)Be not wise in your own eyes;
    ^(P)fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be ^(Q)healing to your flesh^[b]
    and ^(R)refreshment^[c] to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with ^(S)the firstfruits of all your produce;
¹⁰ then your ^(T)barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

^11 (U)My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
¹² for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as ^(V)a father the son in whom he delights.

^10 (A)Hear, ^(B)my son, and accept my words,
    that ^(C)the years of your life may be many.
¹¹ I have ^(D)taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
¹² When you walk, ^(E)your step will not be hampered,
    and ^(F)if you run, you will not stumble.
^13 (G)Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your ^(H)life.
^14 (I)Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
¹⁵ Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶ For they ^(J)cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness
    ^(K)and drink the wine of violence.
¹⁸ But ^(L)the path of the righteous is like ^(M)the light of dawn,
    which shines ^(N)brighter and brighter until ^(O)full day.
^19 (P)The way of the wicked is like deep ^(Q)darkness;
    they do not know over what they ^(R)stumble.