9. All my words are clear and straightforward to everyone who possesses spiritual understanding. If you have an open mind, you will receive revelation-knowledge. 13. Wisdom pours into you when you begin to hate every form of evil in your life, for that’s what worship and fearing God is all about.

1. My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the Apple of your eye. 3. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4. Say to wisdom, you are my sister, and call understanding your kinsman; 5. They will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. 27. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

6. When you’re feeling lazy, come and learn a lesson from this tale of the ant. Yes, all you lazybones, come learn from the example of the ant and enter into wisdom. 11. By making excuses you’ll learn what it means to go without. Poverty will pounce on you like a bandit and move in as your roommate for life.

1. Listen to me, my son, for I know what I’m talking about. Listen carefully to my advice 2. So that wisdom and discernment will enter your heart, and then the words you speak will express what you’ve learned. 4. But I promise you this: In the end all you’ll be left with is a bitter conscience. For the sting of your sin will pierce your soul like a sword. 5. She will ruin your life, drag you down to death, and lead you straight to hell. 12. And then finally you’ll admit that you were wrong and say, if only I had listened to wisdom’s voice and not stubbornly demanded my own way, because my heart hated to be told what to do.

7. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 10. Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 12. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13. Hold on to instructions, do not let it go, guard it well, for it your life.