“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,

So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver And search for her as you would hidden treasures;

“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].

“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver, And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,

“I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor and grace, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

A rebellious man seeks only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.

Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man, And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].

Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

“They struck me, but I was not hurt! They beat me, but I did not feel it! When will I wake up? I will seek more wine.”

It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.