⁷ Knowledge begins with respect for the Lord.
    But foolish people hate wisdom and discipline.

¹³ Happy is the person who finds wisdom.
    And happy is the person who gets understanding.
¹⁴ Wisdom is worth more than silver.
    It brings more profit than gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
    Nothing you want is equal to it.
¹⁶ With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life.
    With her left hand she gives you riches and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom will make your life pleasant.
    It will bring you peace.
¹⁸ As a tree makes fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it.
    Everyone who uses wisdom will be happy.

¹⁹ Using his wisdom, the Lord made the earth.
    Using his understanding, he set the sky in place.
²⁰ Using his knowledge, he made rivers flow from underground springs.
    And he made the clouds drop rain on the earth.

¹⁰ My child, listen and accept what I say.
    Then you will have a long life.
¹¹ I am guiding you in wisdom.
    And I am leading you to do what is right.
¹² Nothing will hold you back.
    You will not be overwhelmed.
¹³ Always remember what you have been taught.
    Don’t let go of it.
Keep safe all that you have learned.
    It is the most important thing in your life.

¹² “I am wisdom, and I have the ability to think.
    I also have knowledge and good sense.
¹³ If you respect the Lord, you also will hate evil.
    It is wise to hate pride and bragging,
    evil ways and lies.
¹⁴ I have good sense and advice.
    I have understanding and power.
¹⁵ Kings use me to govern.
    And rulers use me to make fair laws.
¹⁶ Princes use me to lead.
    So do important men and all good judges.
¹⁷ I love those who love me.
    Those who want me find me.
¹⁸ Riches and honor are mine.
    So are wealth and lasting success.
¹⁹ What I give is better than the finest gold.
    What I give is better than pure silver.
²⁰ I do what is right.
    I do what is fair.
²¹ I give wealth to those who love me.
    I fill them with treasures.

²² “I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work.
    This was before he made anything else long ago.
²³ I was appointed in the very beginning,
    even before the world began.
²⁴ I began before there were oceans.
    There were no springs overflowing with water.
²⁵ I began before the hills were there.
    The mountains had not even been put in place.
²⁶ God still had not made the earth or fields.
    He had not even made the first dust of the earth.
²⁷ I was there when God put the skies in place,
    when he stretched the horizon over the oceans.
²⁸ I was there when he made the clouds above.
    I was there when he put the fountains in the oceans.
²⁹ I was there when he ordered the sea
    not to go beyond the borders he had set for it.
I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
³⁰     I was like a child by his side.
I was happy every day
    and enjoyed being in his presence.
³¹ I enjoyed the whole world.
    And I was happy with all its people.

³² “Now, my children, listen to me.
    Those who follow my ways are happy.
³³ Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise.
    Do not ignore it.
³⁴ Those who listen to me are happy.
    They stand watching at my door every day.
    They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.
³⁵ Whoever finds me finds life.
    And the Lord will be pleased with him.
³⁶ Whoever does not find me hurts himself.
    Those who hate me love death.”

¹⁰ “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord.
    And understanding begins with knowing God, the Holy One.
¹¹ If you live wisely, you will live a long time.
    Wisdom will add years to your life.
¹² The wise person is rewarded by his wisdom.
    But a person who makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.”

² Pride leads only to shame.
    It is wise not to be proud.

³³ The person who has understanding has wisdom.
    And even fools recognize it.