7. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
8. Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
9. She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.
10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many.
11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.
14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
16. For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
18. But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.