18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

³ It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

² So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

¹⁷ I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

²¹ My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

³⁵ And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

⁸ Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

⁹ With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

¹⁰ The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.