1My son, if you take my words [to heart] and treasure my commands within you,

2if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding,

3if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,

4if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,

5then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God.

6The LORD gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7He has reserved priceless wisdom for decent people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity

8in order to guard those on paths of justice and to watch over the way of his godly ones.

9Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good course [in life].

10Wisdom will come into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11Foresight will protect you. Understanding will guard you.

12[Wisdom will] save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things,

13from those who abandon the paths of righteousness to walk the ways of darkness,

14from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who find joy in the deviousness of evil.

15Their paths are crooked. Their ways are devious.

16[Wisdom will] also save you from an adulterous woman, from a loose woman with her smooth talk,

17who leaves [her husband,]the closest friend of her youth,[and forgets her marriage vows to her God.]

18Her house sinks down to death. Her ways lead to the souls of the dead.

19None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life.

20So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people.

21Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it.

22But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it.