| 1 He who fears the LORD will do this; he who is practiced in the law will come to wisdom. |
| 2 Motherlike she will meet him, like a young bride she will embrace him, |
| 3 Nourish him with the bread of understanding, and give him the water of learning to drink. |
| 4 He will lean upon her and not fall, he will trust in her and not be put to shame. |
| 5 She will exalt him above his fellows; in the assembly she will make him eloquent. |
| 6 Joy and gladness he will find, an everlasting name inherit. |
| 7 Worthless men will not attain to her, haughty men will not behold her. |
| 8 Far from the impious is she, not to be spoken of by liars. |
| 9 Unseemly is praise on a sinner's lips, for it is not accorded to him by God. |
| 10 But praise is offered by the wise man's tongue; its rightful steward will proclaim it. |
| 11 Say not: "It was God's doing that I fell away"; for what he hates he does not do. |
| 12 Say not: "It was he who set me astray"; for he has no need of wicked man. |
| 13 Abominable wickedness the LORD hates, he does not let it befall those who fear him. |
| 14 When God, in the beginning, created man, he made him subject to his own free choice. |
| 15 If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will. |
| 16 There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. |
| 17 Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him. |
| 18 Immense is the wisdom of the LORD; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. |
| 19 The eyes of God see all he has made; he understands man's every deed. |
| 20 No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies. |