Listen to Wisdom

2 My son, pay attention to what I say. Remember my commands. ² Listen to wisdom, and do your best to understand. ³ Ask for good judgment. Cry out for understanding. ⁴ Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. ⁵ If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you will come to know God.

⁶ The Lord is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.

⁹ If you listen to him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. ¹⁰ You will gain wisdom, and knowledge will bring you joy.

¹¹ Planning ahead will protect you, and understanding will guard you. ¹² These will keep you from following the wrong path and will protect you from those who have evil plans. ¹³ Such people have left the straight path and now walk in darkness. ¹⁴ They enjoy doing evil and are happy with the confusion it brings. ¹⁵ Their ways are crooked; they lie and cheat.