⁵ Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned away from the words of my mouth.

² And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, walking in the ways of his father David, without turning to the right hand or to the left.

²³ Get for yourself that which is true, and do not let it go for money; get wisdom and teaching and good sense.

⁸ He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.

¹ He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.

¹⁶ How will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no sense?

¹⁶ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.

⁵ Become expert in reason, O you simple ones; you foolish ones, take training to heart.

¹³ Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.

¹⁴ For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.

¹⁵ She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.

¹⁷ Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.

² So that your ear gives attention to wisdom, and your heart is turned to knowledge;

³ Truly, if you are crying out for good sense, and your request is for knowledge;

⁴ If you are looking for her as for silver, and searching for her as for stored-up wealth;

²² How long, you simple ones, will foolish things be dear to you? and pride a delight to the haters of authority? how long will the foolish go on hating knowledge?

²³ Be turned again by my sharp words: see, I will send the flow of my spirit on you, and make my words clear to you.

¹⁵⁷ Great is the number of those who are against me; but I have not been turned away from your unchanging word.

⁵¹ The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.

¹⁸ Our hearts have not gone back, and our steps have not been turned out of your way;

¹¹ My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

⁵ But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him.