⁹ Then you will understand^(K) what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,^(L)
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.^(M)

¹² Wisdom will save^(N) you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,
¹³ who have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways,^(O)
14 who delight in doing wrong
    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,^(P)
15 whose paths are crooked^(Q)
    and who are devious in their ways.^(R)

¹⁶ Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,^(S)
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
¹⁷ who has left the partner of her youth
    and ignored the covenant she made before God.^[a](T)
18 Surely her house leads down to death
    and her paths to the spirits of the dead.^(U)
19 None who go to her return
    or attain the paths of life.^(V)

²⁰ Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.
²¹ For the upright will live in the land,^(W)
    and the blameless will remain in it;
²² but the wicked^(X) will be cut off from the land,^(Y)
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.^(Z)

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.^(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;^(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.^(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;^(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.^(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.^(F)
18 She is a tree of life^(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.^(H)

¹⁹ By wisdom^(I) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,^(J)
    by understanding he set the heavens^(K) in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son,^(L) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,^(M)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,^(N)
    an ornament to grace your neck.^(O)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,^(P)
    and your foot will not stumble.^(Q)
24 When you lie down,^(R) you will not be afraid;^(S)
    when you lie down, your sleep^(T) will be sweet.