1 My child, you must follow

and treasure my teachings

and my instructions.

2 Keep in tune with wisdom

and think what it means

to have common sense.

3 Beg as loud as you can

for good common sense.

4 Search for wisdom

as you would search for silver

or hidden treasure.

5 Then you will understand

what it means to respect

and to know the Lord God.

6 * All wisdom comes from the Lord,

and so do common sense

and understanding.

7 God gives helpful advice*

to everyone who obeys him

and protects those

who live as they should.

8 God sees that justice is done,

and he watches over everyone

who is faithful to him.

9 With wisdom you will learn

what is right

and honest and fair.

10 Wisdom will control your mind,

and you will be pleased

with knowledge.

11 Sound judgment and good sense

will watch over you.

12 Wisdom will protect you

from evil schemes

and from those liars

13 who turned from doing good

to live in the darkness.

14 Most of all they enjoy

being mean and deceitful.

15 They are dishonest themselves,

and so are all their deeds.

16 Wisdom will protect you

from the smooth talk

of a sinful woman,

17 who breaks her wedding vows

and leaves the man she married

when she was young.

18 The road to her house leads

down

to the dark world

of the dead.

19 Visit her, and you will never

find the road to life again.

20 Follow the example

of good people

and live an honest life.

21 If you are honest and innocent,

you will keep your land;

22 if you do wrong

and can never be trusted,

you will be rooted out.