2 My son, if you accept what I am telling you
    and store my counsel and directives deep within you,
² If you listen for Lady Wisdom, attune your ears to her,
    and engage your mind to understand what she is telling you,
³ If you cry out to her for insight
    and beg for understanding,
⁴ If you sift through the clamor of everything around you
    to seek her like some precious prize,
    to search for her like buried treasure;
⁵ Then you will grasp what it means to truly respect the Eternal,
    and you will have discovered the knowledge of the one True God.
⁶ The Eternal is ready to share His wisdom with us,
    for His words bring true knowledge and insight;
⁷ He has stored up the essentials of sound wisdom for those who do right;
    He acts as a shield for those who value integrity.
⁸ God protects the paths of those who pursue justice,
    watching over the lives of those who keep faith with Him.
⁹ With this wisdom you will be able to choose the right road,
    seek justice, and decide what is good and fair
¹⁰ Because wisdom will penetrate deep within
    and knowledge will become a good friend to your soul.
¹¹ Sound judgment will stand guard over you,
    and understanding will watch over you as the Lord promised.
¹² Wisdom will keep you from following the way of evildoers,
    of those who twist words to pervert the truth,
¹³ Of those who reject the right road
    for a darker, more sinister way of life,
¹⁴ Of those who enjoy evil
    and pursue perverse pleasures,
¹⁵ Of those who journey down a crooked path,
    constantly figuring out new ways to trick and deceive others.

¹⁶ Wisdom will pluck you from the trap of a seductive woman,
    from the enticing propositions of the adulteress
¹⁷ Who chose to leave the husband of her youth,
    to forget her sacred promises to her God;
¹⁸ For her house is on the road that leads to death,
    and her path goes down to the shadowy pit.
¹⁹ Those who go to her will never return;
    they will never again find their way back to true life.

²⁰ As for you, you should walk like those who are good
    and keep to the paths of those who love justice,
²¹ For those who live right will remain in the land
    and those with integrity will endure here.
²² But not the wicked; they will be forced out and banned from this promised land,
    and those who deal in deceit will be plucked up like weeds.

¹³ How fortunate are those who discover Lady Wisdom
    and those who understand her ways!
¹⁴ For her worth is greater than the most expensive prize you could win.
    Her profit is greater than the finest thing you could buy.
¹⁵ No gem is more precious than she is—
    your most extravagant desire doesn’t come close to her.
¹⁶ She holds the secret of a long life in one hand
    and riches and fame in her other hand.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant;
    all of her pathways are peaceful.
¹⁸ She is like a tree that produces a satisfied life for anyone who can wrap their arms around her;
    happiness waits for any who hold her tightly.

¹⁹ It was by wisdom that the Eternal fashioned the earth
    and by understanding that He designed the heavens.
²⁰ Through His knowledge, the deep was divided into seas and sky,
    and the clouds understood when to let down the morning dew.

²¹ My son, never lose sight of God’s wisdom and knowledge:
    make decisions out of true wisdom, guard your good sense,
²² And they will be life to your soul
    and fine jewelry around your neck.
²³ Then each one of your steps will land securely on your life’s journey,
    and you will not trip or fall.
²⁴ Your mind will be clear, free from fear;
    when you lie down to rest, you will be refreshed by sweet sleep.