⁷ If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord.
    But foolish people hate wisdom and instruction.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.
    Blessed is the one who gains understanding.
¹⁴ Wisdom pays better than silver does.
    She earns more than gold does.
¹⁵ She is worth more than rubies.
    Nothing you want can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand.
    In her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways.
    All her paths lead to peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
    Those who hold her close will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.
    Through understanding he set the heavens in place.
²⁰ By his knowledge the seas were separated,
    and the clouds dropped their dew.

¹⁰ My son, listen. Accept what I say.
    Then you will live for many years.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom.
    I lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, nothing will slow you down.
    When you run, you won’t trip and fall.
¹³ Hold on to my teaching and don’t let it go.
    Guard it well, because it is your life.

¹² “I, wisdom, live together with understanding.
    I have knowledge and good sense.
¹³ To have respect for the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and bragging.
    I hate evil ways and twisted words.
¹⁴ I have good sense and give good advice.
    I have understanding and power.
¹⁵ By me kings rule.
    Leaders make laws that are fair.
¹⁶ By me princes and nobles govern.
    It is by me that anyone rules on earth.
¹⁷ I love those who love me.
    Those who look for me find me.
¹⁸ With me are riches and honor.
    With me are lasting wealth and success.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than fine gold.
    My gifts are better than the finest silver.
²⁰ I walk in ways that are honest.
    I take paths that are right.
²¹ I leave riches to those who love me.
    I give them more than they have room for.

²² “The Lord created me as the first of his works,
    before his acts of long ago.
²³ I was formed a long, long time ago.
    I was formed at the very beginning, when the world was created.
²⁴ Before there were any oceans, I was born.
    It was before there were springs flowing with water.
²⁵ Before the mountains were settled in place, I was born.
    Before there were any hills, I was born.
²⁶ It happened before the Lord made the world and its fields.
    It was before he made the dust of the earth.
²⁷ I was there when he set the heavens in place.
    When he marked out the place where the sky meets the sea, I was there.
²⁸ That was when he put the clouds above.
    It was when he fixed the ocean springs in place.
²⁹ It was when he set limits for the sea
    so that the waters had to obey his command.
When the Lord marked out the foundations of the earth, I was there.
³⁰     I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day.
    I was always happy to be with him.
³¹ His whole world filled me with joy.
    I took delight in all human beings.

³² “My children, listen to me.
    Blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my teaching and be wise.
    Don’t turn away from it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me.
    They watch every day at my doors.
    They wait beside my doorway.
³⁵ Those who find me find life.
    They receive blessing from the Lord.
³⁶ But those who don’t find me harm only themselves.
    Everyone who hates me loves death.”

¹⁰ If you want to become wise, you must begin by respecting the Lord.
    To know the Holy One is to gain understanding.
¹¹ Through wisdom, you will live a long time.
    Years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.
    If you make fun of others, you alone will suffer.

² When pride comes, shame follows.
    But wisdom comes to those who are not proud.

³³ Wisdom rests in the hearts of those who understand what is right.
    And even among foolish people she makes herself known.