Proverbs 2

1My son, if you accept my words and treasure my commands within you,

2So that you pay close attention to wisdom and set your heart on understanding,

3If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

4If you search for it like silver and look for it like hidden treasure,

5Then you will understand what it means to respect the LORD, and you will find the knowledge of God.

6Because the LORD gives wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from the LORD's mouth.

7The LORD stores up sound wisdom for honest people. The LORD is a shield for those who live with integrity.

8The LORD guards the paths of justice and protects the way of his faithful people.

9Then you will understand what is right, fair, and honest — every good path.

10When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to you,

11Good judgment will protect you, and understanding will keep you safe.

12Wisdom will save you from the way of evil people, from those who say twisted, dishonest things,

13From people who have left the right paths to walk in dark ways,

14Who enjoy doing evil and take pleasure in the twisted ways of wicked people,

15Whose paths are crooked and whose ways are dishonest.

16Wisdom will also save you from another man's wife, from a woman who is unfaithful and flatters you with smooth words,

17Who has left the husband of her youth and forgotten the promise she made before God.

18Her house leads down to death, and her paths lead to the dead.

19No one who goes to her ever comes back; they never find the path of life again.

20So walk in the way of good people, and stay on the paths of the righteous.

21Honest people will live in the land, and people of integrity will remain in it.

22But wicked people will be cut off from the land, and those who betray it will be pulled out by the roots.