Proverbs 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Listen to Wisdom

2 <1> My son, pay attention to what I say. Remember my commands. <2> Listen to wisdom, and do your best to understand. <3> Ask for good judgment. Cry out for understanding. <4> Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. <5> If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the Lord, and you will come to know God.

<6> The Lord is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. <7> He gives good advice to honest people and shields those who do what is right. <8> He makes sure that people are treated fairly. He watches over his loyal followers.

<9> If you listen to him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right. <10> You will gain wisdom, and knowledge will bring you joy.

<11> Planning ahead will protect you, and understanding will guard you. <12> These will keep you from following the wrong path and will protect you from those who have evil plans. <13> Such people have left the straight path and now walk in darkness. <14> They enjoy doing evil and are happy with the confusion it brings. <15> Their ways are crooked; they lie and cheat.

<16> Wisdom will save you from that other woman, another man's wife, who tempts you with sweet words. <17> She married when she was young, but then she left her husband. She forgot the marriage vows she made before God. <18> Going into her house leads to death. She will lead you to the grave. <19> All who enter lose their life and never return.

<20> Wisdom will help you follow the example of good people and stay on the right path. <21> Honest people will live in the land, and those who do right will remain there. <22> But the wicked will be forced to leave. Those who lie and cheat will be thrown out of the land.