²¹ My son, do not take your eyes off these things.
Guard sound judgment and insight.
²² They will be life for your soul
and grace to adorn your neck.
²³ Then you will walk safely on your way,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes,
²⁶ because the Lord will be your confidence.
He will keep your foot from being caught.

4 Listen, you sons, to a father’s discipline.
Pay attention so that you will gain discernment,
² because I have given you good instruction.
Do not abandon my teaching.
³ When I was a son living with my father,
a tender and only child with my mother,
⁴ he used to instruct me and say to me,
“Cling to my words with all your heart.
Obey my commands so that you may live.
⁵ Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding.
Do not forget,
and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not abandon it, and it will watch over you.
Love it and it will guard you.”

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is to obtain Wisdom.
Give up everything you have, in order to gain Understanding.

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Open your ears to my understanding,
² so that you may hold on to insight,
so your lips may guard knowledge,

9 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has already set her table.
³ She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest point in the city,
⁴ “Whoever is naïve,^[a] let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
⁵ “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
⁶ Abandon your naïve ways and live.
Travel the road to understanding.”

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning^[a] of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,