The Benefits of Wisdom

1My child,a listen to what I say,

and treasure my commands.

2Tune your ears to wisdom,

and concentrate on understanding.

3Cry out for insight,

and ask for understanding.

4Search for them as you would for silver;

seek them like hidden treasures.

5Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,

and you will gain knowledge of God.

6For the LORD grants wisdom!

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

8He guards the paths of the just

and protects those who are faithful to him.

9Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

10For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

11Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe.

12Wisdom will save you from evil people,

from those whose words are twisted.

13These men turn from the right way

to walk down dark paths.

14They take pleasure in doing wrong,

and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.

15Their actions are crooked,

and their ways are wrong.

16Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,

from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

17She has abandoned her husband

and ignores the covenant she made before God.

18Entering her house leads to death;

it is the road to the grave.b

19The man who visits her is doomed.

He will never reach the paths of life.

20So follow the steps of the good,

and stay on the paths of the righteous.

21For only the godly will live in the land,

and those with integrity will remain in it.

22But the wicked will be removed from the land,

and the treacherous will be uprooted.