1. My son, if you will receive my words, and lay up my commandments with you;
2. So that you incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
3. Yea, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding;
4. If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;
5. Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6. For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
7. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a shield to them that walk uprightly.
8. He keeps the paths of justice, and preserves the way of his saints.
9. Then shall you understand righteousness, and justice, and equity; yea, every good path.
10. When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul;
11. Discretion shall preserve you, understanding shall keep you:
12. To deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks perverse things;