⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.^(A)

¹³ Happy is a man who finds wisdom^(A)
and who acquires understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.^(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;^(C)
nothing you desire can equal her.^(D)
16 Long life^[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.^(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,^(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life^(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;^(A)
don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
⁶ Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,^(B) and she will guard you.
⁷ Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.^(C)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.^(D)
9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”^(E)

¹⁰ Listen, my son. Accept my words,^(F)
and you will live many years.^(G)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.^(H)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;^(I)
when you run, you will not stumble.^(J)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.^(K)
Guard it, for it is your life.

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen closely^[a] to my understanding^(A)
2 so that you may maintain discretion
and your lips safeguard knowledge.^(B)

8 Doesn’t wisdom^(A) call out?
Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?
² At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
³ Beside the gates^(B) leading into the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
⁴ “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to the children of Adam.
⁵ Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
⁷ For my mouth tells the truth,^(C)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
⁸ All the words from my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.^(D)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,^(E)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
¹⁰ Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.^(F)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,^(G)
and nothing desirable can equal it.^(H)
12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.^(I)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.^(J)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
¹⁴ I possess good advice and sound wisdom;^[a]
I have understanding and strength.^(K)
15 It is by me that kings reign^(L)
and rulers enact just law;
¹⁶ by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.^[b]
17 I love those who love me,^(M)
and those who search for me find me.^(N)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(O)
lasting wealth and righteousness.^(P)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.^(Q)
20 I walk in the ways of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
²¹ giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.

9 Wisdom has built her house;^(AJ)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her meat;^(AK) she has mixed her wine;^(AL)
she has also set her table.^(AM)
3 She has sent out her female servants;^(AN)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:^(AO)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,^(AP) she says,
⁵ “Come, eat my bread,^(AQ)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.