The Value of Wisdom

2My child, if you accept my words
   and treasure up my commandments within you,
²making your ear attentive to wisdom
   and inclining your heart to understanding;
³if you indeed cry out for insight,
   and raise your voice for understanding;
⁴if you seek it like silver,
   and search for it as for hidden treasures—
⁵then you will understand the fear of the Lord
   and find the knowledge of God.
⁶For the Lord gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
⁷he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
   he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,
⁸guarding the paths of justice
   and preserving the way of his faithful ones.
⁹Then you will understand righteousness and justice
   and equity, every good path;