¹¹ My son,^(A) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,^(B)
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,^(C)
    as a father the son he delights in.^[a](D)

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.^(E)
15 She is more precious than rubies;^(F)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.^(G)
16 Long life is in her right hand;^(H)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.^(I)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.^(J)
18 She is a tree of life^(K) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.^(L)

¹⁹ By wisdom^(M) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,^(N)
    by understanding he set the heavens^(O) in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son,^(P) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,^(Q)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,^(R)
    an ornament to grace your neck.^(S)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,^(T)
    and your foot will not stumble.^(U)
24 When you lie down,^(V) you will not be afraid;^(W)
    when you lie down, your sleep^(X) will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side^(Y)
    and will keep your foot^(Z) from being snared.^(AA)

¹⁰ Listen, my son,^(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.^(B)
11 I instruct^(C) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.^(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.^(E)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.^(F)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.^(G)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
¹⁶ For they cannot rest until they do evil;^(H)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
¹⁷ They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.^(I)

¹⁸ The path of the righteous^(J) is like the morning sun,^(K)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.^(L)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;^(M)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.^(N)

²⁰ My son,^(O) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.^(P)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,^(Q)
    keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.^(R)
23 Above all else, guard^(S) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.^(T)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes^(U) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet^(V)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;^(W)
    keep your foot from evil.