2 My son, if you will ^(A)receive my words
And ^(B)treasure my commandments within you,
^2 (C)Make your ear attentive to wisdom;
Incline your heart to understanding.
³ For if you cry out for insight,
And ^[a]raise your voice for understanding;
⁴ If you seek her as ^(D)silver
And search for her as for ^(E)hidden treasures;
⁵ Then you will understand the ^(F)fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
⁶ For ^(G)the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a ^(H)shield to those who walk in integrity,
⁸ Guarding the paths of justice,
And He ^(I)watches over the way of His godly ones.
⁹ Then you will discern ^(J)righteousness, justice,
And integrity, and every ^(K)good path.
¹⁰ For ^(L)wisdom will enter your heart,
And ^(M)knowledge will be delightful to your soul;
¹¹ Discretion will ^(N)watch over you,
Understanding will guard you,

3 My son, ^(A)do not forget my ^[a]teaching,
But have your heart ^(B)comply with my commandments;
² For ^(C)length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Do not let ^(D)kindness and truth leave you;
^(E)Bind them around your neck,
^(F)Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will ^(G)find favor and a ^(H)good ^[b]reputation
In the sight of God and man.
^5 (I)Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And ^(J)do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways ^(K)acknowledge Him,
And He will ^(L)make your paths straight.
^7 (M)Do not be wise in your own eyes;
^(N)Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be ^(O)healing to your ^[c]body
And ^(P)refreshment to your bones.
^9 (Q)Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the ^(R)first of all your produce;

4 Listen, my sons, to the ^(A)instruction of a father,
And ^(B)pay attention so that you may ^[a]gain understanding,
² For I give you good ^(C)teaching;
^(D)Do not abandon my ^[b]instruction.
³ When I was a son to my father,
^(E)Tender and ^(F)the only son in the sight of my mother,
⁴ He ^(G)taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart ^(H)take hold of my words;
^(I)Keep my commandments and live;
^5 (J)Acquire wisdom! ^(K)Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not abandon her, and she will guard you;
^(L)Love her, and she will watch over you.
^7 (M)The ^[c]beginning of wisdom is: ^(N)Acquire wisdom;
And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.