[1] He that feareth the Lord will do this; And he that has possession of the law shall obtain her.
[2] And as a mother shall she meet him, And receive him as a wife married in her virginity.
[3] With bread of understanding shall she feed him, And give him water of wisdom to drink.
[4] He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.
[5] And she shall exalt him above his neighbors; And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.
[6] He shall inherit joy, and a crown of gladness, And an everlasting name.
[7] Foolish men shall not obtain her; And sinners shall not see her.
[8] She is far from pride; And liars shall not remember her.
[9] Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner; For it was not sent him from the Lord.
[10] For praise shall be spoken in wisdom; And the Lord will prosper it.
[11] Say not you, It is through the Lord that I fell away; For you shall not do the things that he hates.
[12] Say not you, It is he that caused me to err; For he has no need of a sinful man.
[13] The Lord hates every abomination; And they that fear him love it not.
[14] He himself made man from the beginning, And left him in the hand of his own counsel.
[15] If you will, you shall keep the commandments; And to perform faithfulness is ofyour own good pleasure.
[16] He has set fire and water before you: You shall stretch forth your hand to whichsoever you will.
[17] Before man is life and death; And whichsoever he liketh, it shall be given him.
[18] For great is the wisdom of the Lord: He is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things;
[19] And his eyes are upon them that fear him; And he will take knowledge of every work of man.
[20] He has not commanded any man to be ungodly; And he has not given any man licence to sin.